Lcr 


^M^ 


•^^ 


^f 


■<jf 


''^ 


>  •• 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 
OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 
PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


fV. 


^1''  .^^^ 


^^feitf 


s«  *%.;'^ 


tvi 


p^'^ 


■i^--s^^^- .  ^'•'^►-rfcSia*' 


V.iXvj 


'if. 


j>«f  J 


:4 


*W 


^'^ 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


.V 


4^ 


J.UX 


iLIIUTAi 


% 


.>V^ 


PRESENTED  BY 


Gladys  Hall  Coates 

in  memory  of 
William  Alfred  Hall 


\»« 


^ik 


hfW^ 


fM: 


i.^ 


m 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Arcinive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hil 


http://www.archive.org/details/flyinggrayhairedOOOegan 


i 


V.' 


oo 


o 
o 


cJ 


o 

o 

<u 

s 

a, 

3 

a> 
c: 

i4 


THE 


Flying,  Gray-Haired  Yank  ; 

OR, 

The  AdVEntuiie^  of  a  VoIuntBei'. 


A    PERSONAL    NARRATIVE    OF    THRILLING    EXPERIENCES    AS    AN 
ARMY   COURIER,  A    VOLUNTEER   CAPTAIN,  A    PRISONER    OF 
WAR,    A    FUGITIVE    FROM    SOUTHERN    DUNGEONS,    A 
GUEST  AMONG  THE  CONTRABANDS  AND  UNION- 
ISTS,   AND    FINALLY,  A    SKIRMISHER   AT 
THE  VERY  FRONT  AT  APPOMATTOX. 


A  TRUE  NARRATIVE  OF  THE  CIVIL   WAR. 


BY 


I\^ICHA.EL  EQAN, 

LATE  CAPTAIN  CO.  B,   ISTH  REGIMENT  WEST  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY 

VOLUNTEERS. 


HUBBARD  BROTHERS,  Publishers, 


Copyright,  1888,  by  KuBBARD  Brothers. 


DEDICATED 

TO 


THE  ^I^AWD  ApY  OF  THE  I^EpUBLlC 

OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES. 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 


The  title  of  this  book,  "The  Flying,  Gray- 
Haired  Yank,"  was  suggested  to  the  author  by 
a  second  christening  received  from  his  astounded 
captors,  on  seeing  the  rapid  flight  made  by  one 
so  gray  on  the  night  of  his  second  escape. 

The  author's  reason  for  presuming  to  add  an- 
other volume  to  the  number  of  works  on  the  late 
war,  Is  his  belief  that  this  little  book  will  find  a 
place  In  the  hearts  of  the  volunteer  soldier  and 
the  general  reader,  who  never  tire  of  the  records 
of  those  thrillinor  scenes. 

It  seems  to  him  a  pity,  too,  that  of  all  the 
magazine  articles,  books  and  pamphlets  lately 
issued  on  the  war  and  Its  history  so  few  are  from 
that  great  majority  who  comprised  the  rank  and 
file  of  this  Grand  Army  of  the  Union. 

The  Incidents  narrated  herein  fell  to  the  writer's 
lot  entirely  unsought.  They  are  absolutely  cor- 
rect and  are  reproduced  from  entries  made  in  his 
diary    at    the    time    of   their    occurrence.     This 

merit  is  no  trifling  one,  as  It  places  the   narra- 

(7) 


8  author's  preface. 

tives  before  the  reader  with  all  the  vividness  of 
truth,  so  often  stranger  than  fiction. 

In  the  mention  of  engagements  in  which  the 
writer  participated,  he  has  not  presumed  to 
give  a  comprehensive  description  of  events,  as 
would  be  expected  in  a  general  history.  He 
contents  himself  with  telling  simply  what  he 
saw  and  how  affairs  appeared  to  him  from  his 
point  of  view,  thus  making  the  reader  share  the 
actual  experiences  of  a  soldier  at  the  very  front. 

The  reader  will  notice,  doubtless,  the  author's 
constant  use  of  the  first  person,  singular.  He 
feels  that  in  so  doing  he  has  laid  himself  open 
to  the  charge  of  egotism.  But  he  has  not  been 
able  to  eliminate  this  feature,  dealing  as  he  does 
with  occurrences  in  which  he  alone  participated. 

In  conclusion,  while  the  writer  makes  no  pre- 
tension to  the  qualifications  of  authorship,  his 
book  has  the  merit  of  being  entirely  his  own, 
as  he  received  no  outside  aid  in  its  preparation, 
except  from  his  eldest  son,  Thomas,  who  assisted 
him  in  arranging  the  matter  for  the  publisher. 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


Captain  Michael  Egan,  of  Parkersburg,  West  Va.,  died 
suddenly  on  Saturday,  September  15th,  1888,  at  Marietta, 
Ohio,  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age.  He  had  been  in  at- 
tendance at  the  Reunion  of  the  Grand  Army  at  Columbus, 
and  was  returning  home.  Waiting  at  Marietta  for  a  train, 
he  felt  somewliat  ill,  but  kind  friends  cared  for  him  and  he 
expressed  himself  as  feeling  better ;  but  a  moment  later  he 
dropped  from  his  chair  and  his  brave  spirit  had  departed. 

Andrew  Mather  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  followed  his  remains  to 
their  final  resting-place  on  Monday,  September  17th. 

The  unanimous  testimony  of  those  who  knew  Captain 
Egan  is  that  he  was  a  brave,  honorable,  kind-hearted  man. 
He  loved  his  adopted  country  and  was  willing  to  live  or  to 
die  for  her  good. 

It  is  a  matter  for  special  regret,  that  this  volume,  so  long 
withheld  from  the  public  by  his  conspicuous  modesty,  was 
not  finished  in  time  for  his  eyes  to  behold  it. 

The  Publishers. 
(9) 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 


Virginia  State  Militia  in  1859 — Rural  Life  in  the  State  at  that  Pe- 
riod— Promoted  to  Major — Stirring  Incidents  connected  with  the 
Last  General  Muster — Stars  and  Stripes  Discarded  by  a  Majority 
of  our  Officers — Patriotic  but  Perilous  Action  of  the  Minority  I9 

CHAPTER   11. 

The  Die  is  Cast — The  Reign  of  Terror  Commences — The  Nation  is 
Divided — Houses  Divided  Against  themselves — Brothers  Take 
Opposite  Sides — Cruelly  Embittered  Against  Each  Other — First 
Glimpse  at  American  Volunteer  Discipline  — "  Nose-Bagging  " — 
"Bucking  and  Gagging"  Offenders — Determined  to  Enlist  as  a 
Private — Become  a  Military  Courier  Instead  .         .         .         •     32 

CHAPTER   HI. 

Military  Express  Courier  Line  Between  Clarksburg  and  Gauley 
Bridge — Appointed  First  Courier — West  Virginia  Bushwhackers — 
Bill  Parsons — First  Meeting  with  General  Rosecrans — Arrested  as 
a  Rebel  Spy  by  Union  Troops — Tried  by  "  Drum-Head"  Court- 
Martial — Sentenced  to  be  Shot — Narrow  Escape  from  an  Igno- 
minious Death 41 

CHAPTER   IV. 

A  Timid  Superintendent — Poor  Work  and  Early  Dismissal — His 
Successor  also  a  Failure — Capture  of  Two  Couriers — Escape  of 
One  of  them — His  Quick  Promotion — Sudden  Official  Decapita- 
tion— My  Appointment  as  Superintendent      .         .         .         .         '57 

CHAPTER   V. 
The  Military  Telegraph — Mastering  a  Vicious  Horse — A  Reminia- 

(II) 


1 2  CONTENTS. 

cence — Chased  by  a  Squad  of  Rebel  Cavalry — Saved  by  my 
Horse's  Noble  Qualities ,        ,    64 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Loss  of  Government  Property  on  the  Courier  Line — Testing  the 
Courage  of  a  New  Courier — Satisfactory  Trial — Thieving  Gueril- 
las— A  Cold-Blooded  Murder — Arrest  of  the  Perpetrators — Their 
Trial  and  Punishment — First  Glimpse  of  General  Crook        .         .    $0 

CHAPTER  VH. 

Repairing  the  Telegraph — Preparing  for  a  Night  Surprise — Another 
Anticipated  Night  Attack — Stations  on  the  Express  Line — Attitude 
of  the  Farmers  Along  the  Route — Kindness  to  Couriers  Poorly 
Recompensed — My  Feelings  on  the  Subject — Efforts  to  Secure  a 
Settlement  of  their  Claims — The  Poor  Result — Discontinuance  of 
the  Courier  Line .    89 

CHAPTER  VIH. 

Commissioned  Lieutenant  of  Volunteers  by  Governor  Pierpont — 
Raising  a  Company  of  Infantry — Arrival  at  Wheeling — Mustered 
in  as  Co.  B,  15th  Regiment — Commissioned  Captain — Ordered  to 
New  Creek — On  Duty  at  Knobley  Mountain — First  and  Last  Oe- 
casion  for  Reproving  my  Men — An  Irreparable  Injury  .         .     96 

CHAPTER   IX. 

Ordered  to  Back  Creek — Arrival  and  Encampment  there — Pol- 
troonery of  the  Recruits  Previously  Stationed  there — Teaching 
the  "  Boys  "  to  Read  and  Write — Practicing  Discipline — Sitting 
on  General  Court- Martial — Colonel  Yutzy 104 

CHAPTER  X. 

Return  to  my  Company — Petitioned  to  Resign — Resignation  Not 
Accepted — Motives  Actuating  the  Signers  of  the  Petition — Lack 
of  Discipline  During  my  Absence — Daniel  Arbogast,  and  What 
Befell  him — Insubordination  in  the  Ranks — The  Result—  Sur- 
prised by  the  Enemy — Ordered  to  Make  an  Inglorious  Retreat — 
Disgust  Thereat — Arrival  at  Headquarters  at  Sir  John's  Run         .  IIO 


CONTENTS.  1 3 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Return  to  New  Creek — Forced  Marches  in  Pursuit  of  General  Lee — 
Thoughts  Upon  the  Expected  Engagement — Suggestions  to  Gen- 
eral B.  F.  Kelley — Escape  of  the  Enemy — Following  him  up — 
Crossing  the  Potomac — Engaging  the  Enemy's  Skirmishers — 
Tables  Turned  on  us — Our  Hurried  Flight — Second  Advance 
Upon  Lee — His  Final  Escape 124 

CHAPTER   XII. 

Pastimes  of  the  Troops  at  Mechanicsburg  Gap — A  Friendly  Set-To 
— Breaking  Camp — Arrival  at  Alpine — Placed  in  Command  of 
Two  Companies — -The  Post  Proves  a  Responsible  One — Com- 
plaints of  the  Actions  of  Troops  Previously  Stationed  at  Alpine    .136 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Preparing  "Winter  Quarters — Smuggling  by  Civilians — Vicious  Prac- 
tices by  the  Troops — Attempts  at  Intimidation  by  some  Members 
of  Co.  C — Charges  Preferred  Against  me  by  the  Malcontents         .  142 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Arrest  of  a  Lady  Spy — Her  Indignation  Thereat — Searching  her— 
The  Result — Sending  her  to  Headquarters   .        •        •        •        .147 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Attempt  to  Pass  Contraband  Goods — In  Command  of  the  Regiment 
— An  Attack  that  Did  Not  Materialize  •        •        •        .        .153 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Ordered  to  Prepare  for  Active  Service — The  Kanawha  Valley — 
Camp  Piatt — On  the  March  Again — Painter's  Creek — Fayettes- 
ville — Other  Points — Battle  of  Cloyd  Mountain — Action  of  Co.  B 
— Individual  Mention — An  Extract  from  the  State  Adjutant's 
Report — Misstatements  Corrected — The  Artillery  Duel — Burning 
of  New  River  Bridge — How  and  by  whom  Accomplished — Ac- 
cepted History  Disputed       157 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

Co.  B  in  Luck — Meeting  with  Two  Officers  of  ex-President  Hayes' 
Regiment — A  Picnic — Salt  Pond  Mountain— Village  of  Union — 
Failure  as  a  Forager — Meadow  Bluffs — Captured  by  Guerillas       .172 


14  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Planning  an  Escape — The  Guerilla  Chief — General  Crook's  Close 
Call — New  River  Narrows — Kind  Treatment — Second  Visit  to 
Union — A  Good  Action  Rewarded — A  Practical  Demonstration  of 
Fraternal  Unity — Lynchburg — Arrival  at  Macon  .         ,         ,         .185 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  "Black  Flag" — Kindness  of  the  Slaves — In  Prison  at  Camp 
Oglethorpe — The  "  Dead-Line"'' — Shooting  a  Prisoner — Prison 
Fare — Father  Hamilton •        .         .191 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Captain  Hayes— "  Fresh  Fish,  Fresh  Fish  "— «' Puddin'-Head  "— 
Sword  Practice  by  the  Prisoners — Captain  Rourke — Fourth  of 
July  in  Macon — Transferred  to  Charleston — "  Heroes  Df  Poco- 
taligo" ,         .  201 

CHAPTER   XXL 

Arrival  at  Charleston — Luck  in  a  Boot-Leg — Transferred  to  the 
Marine  Hospital — A  Narrow  Escape — Bombardment  of  Charleston 
— The  "Swamp  Angei  " — Kindness  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity — 
Yellow  Fever — Taken  to  Columbia — Brutal  Murder  by  a  Guard  .  209 

CHAPTER   XXIL 

Escape  from  Prison — Meeting  with  Escaping  Officers — Comparing 
Routes — Lieutenant  Murphy's  Obstinacy — What  it  Cost  him  .  222 

CHAPTER   XXIIL 

Second  Day  of  our  Escape — Baying  of  the  Bloodhounds — Hungry 
and  Footsore — Third  and  Fourth  Days  Out — Out  Number  Re- 
duced One-Half — Captain  Whiteside — What  I  Think  of  him        .  227 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 

Fervent  Prayers — Weary  Tramping — A  Beautiful  Scene — Roasting 
Potatoes — Whiteside's  Forethought 232 

CHAPTER   XXV. 

< 
Clonds  Dispelled — Charging  a  Flock  of  Geese — Grace  before  Meals 

— Attempt  at  Poetry — Kindness  of  the  Darkies  again    .         ,         ,  236 


CONTENTS.  1  5 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

Meeting   with  a  Selfish  Negro — Dry  Hollow — Old  Man  Dodd — A  ■ 

Different  Sort  of  Darky — Agreeably  Unsuspicious  White  Man      .  242 

CHAPTER   XXVn. 

An  Exciting  Chapter — An  Unwelcome  Glimpse  of  a  Southern  Gen- 
tleman— Recaptured — The  Squire's  Opinion  of  Whiteside  and 
myself — A  Sudden  and  Unexpected  Interruption  to  a  Good  Story 
— My  Second  Escape — A  Hard  and  Long  Race — The  Hounds  on 
my  Trail — Breaking  the  Forelegs  of  One  of  them  with  a  Cudgel 
— Twenty  Miles  Without  Stopping 245 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Captain  Whiteside's  Story — Squirrel  Flat — Keeping  my  Diary  in 
Blood — Finding  an  Opossum — Providential  Aid — Interviewing  the 
Darkies — Substantial  Results         .......  264 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Stowed  Away  in  a  Barn — An  Unwelcome  Visitor — A  Tribute  to  the 
Colored  Race — Jim  Reese — A  Fortunate  Meeting — Runaway 
Slaves — The  Hounds  Again 271 

CHAPTER   XXX. 

Parting  From  the  Runaways — Discouraged — A  Close  Shave — More 
Friends — Almost  Caught — The  Third  Scare  ....  284 

CHAPTER   XXXI. 

An  Inquisitive  Stranger — Meeting  With  Six  Escaping  Officers — A 
Cruel  Blow — Alone  Agam 292 

CHAPTER   XXXII. 

Lost — Eatmg  Raw  Corn — Colored  Friends  Again — Third  Meeting 
With  DeWeese  and  Party — Casting  my  Lot  with  theirs         *         .  299 

CHAPTER   XXXIIL 

Continued  Rains — Wading  Streams — A  Beautiful  Slave — Cold 
V/eather — DeWeese's  Cane — Swimming  the  Cullaloo — More  Col- 
ored Friends         ..........  307 


1 6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Lost  Again — Dimick's  Feet  Give  Out — Bidding  him  Good-Bye — 
His  Unexpected  Reappearance — Challenged — Capturing  Geese     ,  313 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

The  "Stair  Falls  "—Living  «  High  "—Dimick's  Funny-Looking 
Coat — "Skirmishing" — A  Friend  Indeed    .....  320 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Among  Kind  Friends — A  Rebel  Soldier  in  a  Queer  Role — Nearing 
the  End 327 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 
Arrival  at  Cage  Cove,  Tenn. — Tuckaleechie  Cove — Almost  Through  339 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Arrival  at  Knoxville — Governor  Brownlow — Interviewing  the  Pay- 
master— Chattanooga — A  Sparring  Match — Lookout  Mountain — 
The  German  Soldier — Sheridan's  Ride 348 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Another  Perilous  Journey — Captain  Grant — Almost  a  Duel — Cincin- 
nati— Home  at  Last — Christmas,  1864  .....  362 

CHAPTER  XL. 

Off  for  the  Front — Chapin's  Farm — A  Foot  Race  for  a  Paper  Collar — 
Hatcher's  Run — On  to  Petersburg — Storming  of  Forts  Gregg  and 
Whitworth — Tribute  to  General  Harris — Escape  of  the  Enemy     ,  375 

CHAPTER  XLL 
Pursuit  of  Lee — General  Ord's  Kindness — A  Model  Soldier — His 
Bloody  Boots — Appomattox — General  Sheridan — Capture  of  the 
Last  Battery — My  Trophy  of  the  Last  Ditch — Surrender  of  Lee 
— Return  to  Richmond — Mustered  Out 395 

Roster  of  Company  B,  15th  Regiment  West  Virginia  Infantry  .        .411 


List  of  Illustrations. 


**  The  Flying,  Gray-Haired  Yank"       .        .        .      Frontispiece. 

Captain  Michael  Egan page     19 

Major-General  William  S.  Rosecrans  .        .        .     "       47 

Major-General  George  Crook "67 

Tramping  in  the  Rain      .        . "      125 

Cavalry  Dash  at  Cloyd  Mountain  .  .  .  .  "  165 
Entering  the  Southern  Prison  Pen      .        ..."      193 

Shot,  at  the  Dead-Line «      199 

Beset  by  Blood-hounds .     "     225 

Old  George  Rowan  Ready  for  the  Fray  ..."  345 
Governor  William  G.  Brownlow  .        .        ,        .     "     349 

Parson  Brownlow's  Daughter  Defying  the  Rebels  .  "  353 
The  Battle  Above  the  Clouds  .        .        ,        .        •     "     357 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  on  the  Rebel  Ramparts  .  .  "  391 
Appomattox  Court- House  .  .  .  •  s  .  **  397 
The  LfcT  Capture  of  a  Battery  .       .       .       .     "     401 

(17) 


'WM-lt^'^ 


Captain  Michael  Egan, 


«THE   FLYING  GRAY-HAIRED  YANK." 


CHAPTER  I. 

Virginia  State  Militia  in  1859 — Rural  Life  in  the  State  at 
THAT  Period — Promotion  to  Rank  of  Major — Stirring  Inci- 
dents OF  the  last  General  Muster — Stars  and  Stripes  Dis- 
carded BY  A  Majority  of  Officers — Patriotic,  but  Perilous, 
Action  of  the  Minority. 

About  two  years  prior  to  the  outbreak  of  the 
Great  RebelHon  of  i86i,  I  was  in  command  of 
a  battalion  of  militia  consisting  of  about  three 
hundred  men,  in  Lewis  county,  Virginia;  a  county 
central  to  what  is  now  the  State  of  West  Virginia. 

Having  been,  previously,  subject  to  the  rigid 
discipline  and  strict  subordination  of  a  military 
experience  in  the  Dublin  constabulary  for  a  period 
of  nine  years,  the  bearing  and  conduct  of  these 
farmer-militiamen  struck  me  as  somewhat  strange 
and  inappropriate  for  members  of  a  military  or- 
ganization. They  appeared  to  have  no  apprecia- 
tion of  the  importance  of  such  wholesome  and 
necessary  restrictions  as  those  to  which  I  had 
been  accustomed. 

With  the  one  exception  of  the  Institution  of 
negro  slavery,  these  were  the  grand  old  days  of 
true  American  liberty  ;  taxed  lightly  and  governed 
little,  but  wisely,  the  worthy  and  industrious 
farmer  was  privileged  to  do  what  he  liked  with  the 

2  (»9) 


20  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED   YANK. 

products  of  his  land.  He  could  raise  his  own 
tobacco  and  work  it  into  any  shape  desired,  or 
brew  his  own  "peck  o'  maut/'  or  apple-jack, 
without  tax,  let,  or  hindrance. 

On  ** muster  days'*  the  boys  composing  our 
battalion  assembled  at  some  stated  place,  gener- 
ally a  central  location,  and  after  drill  would 
usually  indulge  in  horse-trading,  or  "  swapping ;  " 
talk  of,  and  appoint  log-rollings,  rail-maulings, 
house-raisings,  apple-cuttings,  corn-huskings,  and 
many  other  kinds  of  "  frolics,"  as  they  were  en- 
titled by  these  sturdy  farmers,  and  each  of  which 
would  invariably  terminate  in  the  evening,  in  a 
jovial,  old-time,  "  hoe-down  "  dance. 

This  rural  life  in  the  wilds  of  Virginia,  at  the 
time  of  which  I  write,  might  well  be  envied  by 
even  the  nabobs  and  lords  of  creation.  In  such 
places,  above  all  others,  are  happiness  and  godli- 
ness sure  to  be  found;  person  and  property  were 
alike  safe  In  the  keeping  of  those  kind-hearted, 
industrious,  innocent,  and  religious  people.  They 
were  like  one  happy  family  in  their  dally  Inter- 
course, cheering  and  helping  each  other  along 
the  steep  stony  path  of  life;  and,  finally,  when 
grim  death  would  .^tep  in  to  claim  one  of  their 
number  (a  rare  occurrence,  owing  to  their  exem- 
plary habits  and  mode  of  living),  all  would  unite 
in  condoling  with  the  bereaved,  and  in  honoring 
the  memory  of  the  deceased. 

During  the   summer  months   it   was   custom- 


ai 


OLD    TIMES    IN    VIRGINIA.  21 

ary  for  the  young  people  of  both  sexes  to  at* 
tend  camp-meetings,  revivals,  geography  singing- 
schools,  and  other  religious  or  instructive  gather* 
ings.  In  winter  the  male  portion  of  the  popu- 
lation engaged  in  the  exciting  pleasures  of  the 
chase,  hunting  deer,  bear  and  smaller  game. 

Never  since  my  youth  have  I  been  so  much 
impressed  with  fond  recollections  as  I  now  am,  in 
recalling  the  happy  days  spent  with  these  light- 
hearted  and  whole-souled  young  fellows  and 
their  pretty  and  unaffected  sisters,  whose  bloom- 
ing cheeks  were  suffused  with  nature's  beauteous 
glow  alone.  The  refreshing  comeliness  of  these 
rural  lassies  was  somethinor  that  vig^orous  man- 
hood  could  not  fail  to  note,  surpassing  as  it  did 
the  artificial  charms  of  many  a  pampered  daugh- 
ter of  wealth  and  fashion. 

When  I  assumed  the  responsibility  of  trying  to 
instruct  the  young  men,  composed  of  this  good 
and  honest  material,  in  the  first  rudiments 
of  military  duty,  I  addressed  a  few  remarks  to 
them  and  said,  among  other  things:  "The  law 
of  the  State  governing  her  militia  requires  the 
members  of  that  body  to  assemble  periodically 
for  the  purpose  of  instruction  and  drill.  It  is, 
therefore,  right  and  proper  that  you  should  obey 
this  law  and  the  authorities  appointed  to  enforce 
it.  Your  having  to  quit  your  general  avocations 
in  obedience  to  the  provisions  of  the  law  would 
seem  to  make  it  obligatory  upon  you  to  occupy 


2  2  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

the  time  thus  taken  from  your  ordinary  duties  to 
some  advantage.  The  very  general  practice  of 
talking  in  the  ranks,  with  arms  akimbo,  is  in 
violation  of  orders  and  both  disrespectful  and 
embarrassing  to  your  superior  officer  ;  giving,  as 
it  does,  our  drill  the  appearance  of  a  burlesque  on 
military  movements.  You  may  think  that  these 
periodical  drills  are  all  idle  formality,  or  pastime, 
having  no  meaning ;  but,  if  I  mistake  not,  the 
time  is  not  far  distant,  when  whatever  instruction 
you  may  now  receive,  will  be  brought  into  stern 
requisition.  There  is  a  cloud  lowering  overhead, 
already  almost  surcharged,  which  will  assuredly 
burst  and  cause  trouble  in  these  parts  before  you 
have  many  general  musters  ;  therefore,  'tis  best 
to  prepare." 

In  the  month  of  August  1862,  I  enlisted  the 
larger  part  of  my  company  on  the  same  grounds 
upon  which  these  remarks  were  made,  and  I  re- 
minded them  of  the  words  I  had  addressed  to 
them  so  short  a  time  before.  It  required  no  en- 
dowment of  the  prophetic  spirit,  however,  to 
discern  the  impending  danger;  anybody  who 
read  with  attention  could  see  from  the  vindictive, 
cutting  and  sarcastic  tone  of  both  the  Southern 
and  Northern  press  that  hostilities  were  deter- 
mined upon  for  the  near  future. 

I  did  not  make  the  slightest  effort  to  secure 
advancement  in  the  militia,  but  the  people  treated 
me  very  kindly,  and  in  a  short  time,  through  the 


THE    STORM    GATHERING.  23 

suggestion  of  some  of  them,  I  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  Major  in  the  I92d  Regiment  Virginia 
Militia. 

In  the  winter  of  i860  there  was  quite  a  military 
stir  throughout  the  State;  reviews  and  general 
musters  were  the  order  of  the  day.  The  authori- 
ties, John  Letcher  then  being  Governor,  were 
using  every  effort  to  put  the  militia  of  the  State 
on  a  war  footinor. 

Matters  continued  In  this  shape  until  the  fol- 
lowing spring.  About  two  months  prior  to  the 
passage  of  the  ordinance  of  secession,  which 
occurred  April  17,  1861,  and  which,  even  months 
before,  was  openly  discussed,  and  was  seemingly 
a  foreofone  conclusion.  General  Musterinof  Officer 
Conrad  issued  an  order  directing  the  125th  and 
the  I92d  Regiments  of  State  militia  to  proceed  to 
muster  near  Weston,  Lewis  county. 

About  two  weeks  previous  to  the  day  appointed 
the  officers  of  the  reijiments  above  named  held  a 
meeting,  at  which  I  was  present,  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  taking  out  our  regimental  flag  and 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  at  the  time  of  the  coming 
drill  and  review.  The  final  and  almost  unanimous 
decision  of  this  meeting  was,  that  such  a  course 
would  cause  bloodshed.  I  do  not  recall  a  dissent- 
ing voice  to  this  arrangement  except  that  of  the 
writer,  who  was  a  comparative  stranger  among 
them,  having  been  scarcely  six  years  in  the  United 
States  at  the   time.     The  fact  of  my  holding  a 


24  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

commission  as  Major  under  the  seal  of  Virginia 
and  signature  of  Governor  Letcher  made  my 
position  an  unenviable  one;  but  the  die  was  cast, 
and,  sink  or  swim,  my  course  was  determined  on, 
and  I  expressed  my  intentions  in  the  following 
brief  remarks: 

'' Gentlemen- Officers :  We  are  about  to  be 
confronted  with  a  most  serious  crisis  in  the 
affairs  of  our  common  country.  The  time  is 
coming,  it  appears,  that  will  try  every  man 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  this  land, 
*as  by  fire.'  *To  be,  or  not  to  be,'  that  is  the 
question.  Whether  to  be  true  in  our  allegiance 
to  the  United  States  of  America,  or  to  a  single 
State,  is  the  issue.  I  question  no  man's  motives; 
but  for  myself,  my  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  United 
States  is  yet  too  fresh  in  my  memory  to  permit 
me  to  forget — according  to  my  interpretation  of 
it — that  my  first  duty  as  a  citizen  is  to  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  Union,  and  that  my  obligation 'to 
the  State  of  Virginia  must  be,  and  is,  secondary. 
You  propose,  on  the  day  appointed,  to  muster,  to 
drill,  and  march  your  regiments  in  review;  but 
you  have  no  flag,  no  banner,  or  other  insignia  of 
military  display  in  accordance  with  long  estab- 
lished military  law  and  usage.  Has  such  a  spec- 
tacle ever  before  been  witnessed  ?  And  has  it 
come  to  this,  that  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  the  em- 
blem of  liberty,  honored  by  all  nations  and  peo- 
ples, on  land  and  on  sea,  under  whose  folds  the 


THE    OLD    FLAG    DISCARDED.  2$ 

Oppressed  of  all  climes  have  found  an  abiding 
refuge  and  protection,  shall  be  abandoned  now 
by  a  people  who  were  once,  and  should  still  be, 
justly  proud  of  its  expanding  influence  and 
honor?  I  will  say  for  myself,  I  shall  be  present, 
in  obedience  to  orders,  at  this  muster;  but  if  I 
move  at  all,  in  a  military  attitude,  it  shall  be  un- 
der a  flag,  and  *that  flag  shall  be  no  nameless 
shadow,  but  the  flag  of  the  Union,  and  'long  may 
she  wave.' " 

The  meeting,  after  voting  as  above  mentioned, 
adjourned. 

The  action  of  this  meeting  soon  became  known 
throughout  the  surrounding  country  and  was  re- 
ceived by  the  larger  portion  of  the  citizens  with 
approval.  I,  however,  determined  to  set  about  to 
create,  if  possible,  a  counter  sentiment,  and  to  this 
end  I  made  a  trip  through  the  county,  making 
Unionist  speeches,  putting  up  "posters"  of  the 
same  purport,  which  I  had  written  and  copied 
myself,  there  being  no  facilities  for  printing  in  the 
vicinity  at  this  time,  and  by  stirring  up  the  dor- 
mant patriotism  of  the  people  generally;  so  that, 
when  I  had  finished,  I  had  secured  the  pledges  of 
about  fifty  Union  men,  mostly  members  of  my 
command,  to  stand  by  the  flag  and  myself  when 
the  occasion  should  require  it. 

The  action  of  the  regimental  officers  had,  of 
course,  deprived  us  of  our  flag,  and  it  became 
necessary,  therefore,  to  procure  one.    In  this  con- 


26  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

nectlon  I  wish  to  Introduce  to  the  reader  a  charac- 
ter who  gave  us  valuable  assistance  In  this  par- 
ticular. He  Is  no  less  a  personage  than  the 
Inimitable  and  eccentric  Gasper  Butcher,  Jr.,  a 
son  of  one  of  the  most  hospitable,  obliging  and 
kind-hearted  Individuals  then  living  In  the  section 
of  country  of  which  I  write.  Gasper,  or  "Gap," 
as  he  was  Invariably  called,  deserves  all  the  kind 
things  that  I  can  say  of  him.  He  was  the  embodi- 
ment of  soft-heartedness.  He  could  not  possibly 
refuse  anybody  a  favor.  No  "frolic"  for  miles 
around  but  languished  In  his  absence.  If  they 
lacked  whiskey.  Gap  was  away  for  It  Instanter. 
If  they  wanted  music,  he  would  procure  It;  and 
when  this  was  not  possible,  he  would  rasp  away 
himself.  If  he  could  not  find  funny  practical 
jokes  ready-made,  to  amuse  the  party,  he  would 
make  them  himself,  no  matter  at  whose  expense. 
He  was  a  member  of  my  mllltia  company,  and 
lived  near  me.  I  told  him  of  the  arrangements 
for  the  o-eneral  muster  and  described  to  him  the 

o 

cowardice,  or  lack  of  patriotism,  that  must  have 
actuated  the  officers  In  deciding  to  abandon  the 
old  flag,  and  added  that  I  did  not  Intend  to  appear 
at  drill  or  review  without  one. 

"Never  mind,"  said  Gap,  "we  will  show  them 
what  Leading  Creek  can  do;  she  has  always  held 
her  own." 

Very  few  words  passed  between  Gap  and  my- 
self before   it  was    resolved    to    have   a  United 


PATRIOTIC    YOUNG    LADIES.  2/ 

States  flag.  He  started  Immediately  for  Weston, 
nine  miles  distant,  and  procured  the  necessary 
material;  and  In  coming  homeward,  at  about  a 
half  mile  from  the  town,  he  stopped  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  John  Flesher,  a  worthy  blacksmith  and  a 
staunch  Union  man,  whose  family  Included  two 
amiable  and  patriotic  daughters,  Julia  and  Cecilia. 
All  of  the  family  were  loyal  In  spirit  and  devotion 
to  the  old  flag;  one,  a  fine-looking  young  man 
named  James,  had  he  been  less  brave,  might  be 
alive  to-day.  He  died  one  of  the  earliest  martyrs 
to  the  cause  of  his  country.  He  was  killed  by  a 
party  of  rebel  cavalry  at  Big  Birch  river,  while 
bearing  despatches  to  Colonel  Tyler,  of  the  7th 
Ohio  Volunteers,  who  had  been  sent  out  as  a 
pioneer  in  the  direction  of  Gauley  Bridge.  I 
often  saw  his  grave  while  superintending  the 
same  dangerous  mission,  some  months  later. 

On  the  day  of  Gap's  visit  to  the  Flesher  house 
this  noble  boy's  two  sisters  went  to  work  on  the 
material  which  he  had  brought,  and  in  a  short 
time  they  had  finished  in  very  neat  style  a  com- 
plete United  States  flag.  By  no  persuasion  could 
they  be  induced  to  accept  any  remuneration  for 
their  trouble.  Neither  would  Gap  Butcher  allow 
any  one  to  share  wath  him  in  the  purchase  of  the 
material ;  so  to  him  and  the  two  Misses  Flesher 
belongs  the  honor  of  furnishing  the  flag  on  the 
occasion  of  this  muster. 

The  day  appointed  for   the  review  at  length 


28  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED   YANK. 

arrived.  The  militia  formed  on  the  farm  of 
Henry  Butcher,  two  miles  east  of  Weston.  The 
weather  was  very  fine,  and  great  numbers  of  the 
farmers  of  the  neighborhood,  with  their  wives  and 
daughters,  had  driven  or  ridden  to  the  grounds 
to  witness  the  spectacle,  and  everything  bore  an 
outward  appearance  of  gayety ;  but  there  were 
many  present  who  had  silent  forebodings  of 
coming  trouble.  The  Stars  and  Stripes  were 
abandoned;  we  were  virtually  In  a  seceded  State; 
things  had,  indeed,  an  ugly  look  for  the  little  band 
of  Unionists  In  the  assemblage. 

I  had  often  been  exempted  from  duty  while  in 
the  English  service  for  my  general  cleanliness 
and  proper  appearance  on  parade,  and,  as  on  this 
occasion  I  was  well  mounted  on  a  fine  black 
charger,  and  knew  how  to  sit  in  a  saddle,  the 
reader  may  infer  that  I  presented  a  fair  military 
appearance.  I  avoided  coming  on  the  field  until 
the  brigade  was  in  its  proper  position.  My  place 
was  in  the  centre  of  the  column,  and  I  rode 
leisurely  forward  until  I  came  within  a  few  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  command,  when  I  advanced  at 
a  full  gallop  and  did  not  check  up  when  I  came 
on  the  field,  but  continued  to  move  to  the  centre 
of  the  column,  and,  when  within  about  one  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  alignment,  I  stopped,  and  un- 
furling the  Stars  and  Stripes  shook  Its  clean  beauty 
in  the  gentle  breeze  and  the  beaming  sun. 

This  action  was  noticed  by  the  entire  command, 


THE    OLD    FLAG    UNFURLED.  29 

and  was  greeted  by  a  few  with  spirited  cheers, 
but  by  the  majority  with  loud  protests  and  angry 
mutterlngs.  There  was  now  manifest  a  very 
uneasy  feeling  throughout  the  whole  line.  I 
handed  the  flag  to  John  Newman,  then  of  my  com- 
pany and  also  afterwards  in  the  field.  The  brave 
fellow  had  volunteered  for  the  honorable  duty 
beforehand.  The  colonel,  Hansom  M.  Peterson, 
a  fine  young  man,  who  subsequently  joined  the 
forces  of  the  other  side  and  died  early  in  the 
conflict,  now  rode  up  and  requested  me  to  take 
down  the  flag,  stating  that  the  feelings  of  the 
majority  could  hardly  be  controlled,  and  at  the 
same  time  ordering,  or  rather  requesting,  me  to 
conduct  the  marching  at  the  head  of  the  column 
as  it  passed  in  review.  I  respectfully  declined 
the  honor,  and  said :  "  I  wish  to  stop  by  the  flag, 
as  I  think  this  my  proper  place."  Ne  further 
remarks  passed  between  us,  although  he  appeared 
deeply  chagrined  at  what  he,  no  doubt,  considered 
my  obstinacy  and  insubordination.  He  then  rode 
away,  and  a  few  minutes  later  Colonel  Caleb 
Boggess,  a  military  graduate,  was  assigned  to  the 
position  which  I  had  declined. 

The  review  then  proceeded,  but  I  fear  the 
impression  made  upon  General  Conrad  and  the 
spectators  was  not  the  most  flattering.  Several 
times  during  the  drill  I  lost  my  temper  at  the 
awkward  movements  of  the  men,  whose  mistakes 
appeared  to  be  more  glaring  on  this  than  on  any 


30  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

former  occasion.  It  was  evident  that  the  minds 
of  these  embryo  soldiers  were  not  on  the  matter 
in  hand,  but  rather  on  thoughts  of  an  impending 
serious  conflict.  Standard-bearer  Newman  per- 
formed his  duty  well  throughout  the  trying  ordeal, 
and  to  the  surprise  and  delight  of  some,  and  the 
disappointment  of  others,  not  a  single  star  was 
touched.  I  was  told  afterwards  that  there  were 
United  States  officers  incognito  on  the  field  at  the 
time,  but  if  such  was  the  case  I  was  not  personally 
aware  of  it. 

If,  as  I  have  remarked,  I  was  comparatively 
unknown  before,  I  assure  the  reader  I  was  no 
longer  so  after  this  event. 

Immediately  after  the  review  at  the  Butcher 
farm,  the  greater  part  of  the  militia  repaired  to 
Weston,  the  county-seat  of  Lewis  county,  where 
they  listened  to  speeches  made  by  several  of  the 
officers.  I  recall  two  of  these  speeches — one  by 
Colonel  Peterson,  and  the  other  by  Captain  Boy- 
kin — as  being  especially  stirring  and  strongly 
Southern  in  sentiment.  Colonel  Peterson's  ad- 
dress  was  quite  lengthy.  He  dwelt  particularly 
on  the  rights  and  privileges  of  a  sovereign  State, 
and  the  subordinate  position  occupied  by  the 
general  government,  in  any  controversy  involving 
the  claims  of  each ;  pointing  out,  in  fervid  lan- 
guage, the  duty  of  all  good  citizens  of  the  grand 
old  State  of  Virginia,  the  parent  of  Presidents,  in 
the  approaching  crisis  in  her  history.     All  this 


THE    LAST    GENERAL    MUSTER.  3 1 

and  very  much  more  In  the  same  tenor  was  de- 
livered in  a  florid  style  and  embellished  with 
many  gesticulations. 

It  was  evident  that  the  sympathies  of  the  crowd 
were  with  these  speakers.  More  or  less  of  sub- 
dued but  very  earnest  discussion  went  on  upon 
the  borders  of  the  crowd,  but  Union  sentiments 
found  no  open  advocates,  their  staunchest  repre- 
sentatives feeling  that  they  had  scored  their  vic- 
tory in  deeds  rather  than  in  talk. 

After  the  addresses  the  assemblage  quietly  dis- 
persed, and  thus  ended  the  last  general  muster 
of  the  militia  of  Virgkiia  before  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion. 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  Die  is  Cast — The  Reign  of  Terror  Commences — The  Nation 
is  Divided — Houses  are  Divided  Against  Themselves — Brothers 
Take  Opposite  Sides  and  are  Cruelly  Embittered  Against  Each 
Other — First  Glimpse  at  American  Volunteer  Discipline — 
"Nose-Bagging" — "Bucking  and  Gagging" — Determined  to 
Enlist  as  a  Private — Become  a  Military  Courier. 

Here  on  the  border,  in  the  western  part  of  old 
Virginia,  where  Union  men  were  so  greatly  in 
the  minority,  they  frequently  had  to  Teave  their 
homes  at  night  and  take  to  the  woods  upon  the 
approach  of  marauding  bands  of  guerillas,  or 
bushwhackers,  who  waged  a  constant  depredatory 
war  upon  them.  There  were  numerous  bloody 
encounters  and  several  shocking  murders  com- 
mitted by  partisans  of  both  sides  during  this 
period ;  one  fine  young  man  of  my  acquaintance, 
named  Mulvey,  was  taken  from  his  house  one 
night  by  a  party  of  guerillas  and  shot  dead, 
simply  because  he  was  an  avowed  Union  man. 

I  recall  another  tragic  incident  of  this  fratricidal 
strife,  which  I  think  worthy  of  mention.  There 
were  in  Lewis  county  two  brothers  named  Con- 
nelly. One  was  a  hot  and  determined  secession- 
ist and  the  other  was  equally  devoted  to  the 
Union,  They  both  were  conspicuously  brave, 
(32) 


EARLY    VOLUNTEER    DISCIPLINE.  33 

and  soon  became  partisan  leaders.  At  different 
times  their  adherents  had  rough  encounters,  and 
with  an  increasing  spirit  of  hostihty  at  each  meet- 
ing. At  last  the  two  parties  met  in  a  sanguinary 
hand-to-hand  combat  at  or  near  Sutton,  Braxton 
county,  West  Virginia.  Their  forces  were  about 
equal  in  numbers  and  strength,  and,  for  a  time, 
the  result  of  the  conflict  looked  very  uHcertain. 
At  length  the  two  captains,  the  Connelly  boys, 
confronted  each  other.  Both  were  intrepid  and 
daring,  of  fine  physique,  fair  and  rosy-cheeked 
young  men,  the  common  hope  and  pride  of  their 
fond  mother.  The  struggle  was  sharp  and  fierce 
undl,  after  a  final  thrust,  the  rebel  leader  fell  by 
the  hand  of  his  brother,  who  subsequently  became 
a  lieutenant  in  the  loth  West  Virginia  Infantry. 
The  members  of  the  dead  leader's  band  soon 
after  his  fall  dispersed.  There  were  several 
other  bands  of  rebel  sympathizers,  who  were 
harassing  and  terrorizing  the  loyal  people  of  Lewis 
and  adjoining  counties  about  the  time  of  which  I 
write.  Ben  Raymond  and  Perry  Hays  were  two 
of  the  most  notorious  leaders  of  these  marauding 
bandits.  Of  these,  Haymond  gained  the  greater 
notoriety  for  his  personal  valor  and  daring  depre- 
dations. 

About  this  time  I  got  my  first  glimpse  at  the 
beauties  of  American  volunteer  discIpHne,  as  en- 
forced by  the  newly  made  officers.  Among  the 
troops    that   arrived   earliest   at  Weston  was   a 


34  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

detachment  of  the  ist  West  Virginia  Cavalry; 
their  commander,  Captain  Shuman,  had  adopted 
a  rather  novel  mode  of  pimishm.ent — that  of 
"nose-bagging"  his  men.  On  coming  into  town 
one  day,  and  while  going  up  Main  street,  I  saw 
on  the  porch  in  front  of  the  Bland  Hotel,  then 
occupied  by  some  of  the  troops,  three  cavalrymen, 
soldiers  of  Captain  Shuman's  command,  standing 
with  their  hands  behind  their  backs,  tied  and 
securely  strapped  to  the  pillars  of  the  porch,  each 
with  a  horse's  large  "  nose-bag"  pulled  down  over 
his  head  and  made  fast  around  the  lower  part  of 
his  neck,  rendering  respiration  on  his  part  very 
difficult.  If  Lord  Norbury  in  his  day  had  known 
of  the  existence  of  such  a  ludicrous  and  diso^ust- 
ing  hangman's  cap  he  might  have  adopted  it  in 
Ireland,  in  order  to  make  hanging  completely 
odious. 

Seeing  two  comrades  of  the  ill-treated  men  on 
the  street,  I  inquired  of  them  where  their  captain 
might  be  found,  stating  that  I  wished  to  remon- 
strate with  him  on  this  singular  mode  of  punish- 
ment. They  told  me  w^here  he  was  stopping,  but 
looked  at  me  in  some  surprise,  and  one  of  them 
added,  "  You  don't  know  the  captain,  do  you  ?  " 

"  No,"  I  answered  ;  "  but  I  am  desirous  of  ex- 
postulating with  him  on  this  humiliating  spec- 
tacle." 

"  Well,"  was  the  rejoinder,  "  he  is  a  rough  cus- 
tomer to  talk  to,  and  those  who  know  him  best 


A    BLUSTERING    BULLY.  35 

would  not  care  to  approach  him  on  such  a  sub- 
ject." 

Shortly  after  this  dialogue  I  encountered  the 
redoubtable  captain  at  his  "quarters;"  his  appear- 
ance and  manner  were  in  keeping  with  the 
opinion  of  him  held  by  many,  that  he  was  a  "big, 
blustering  bully."  With  fear  and  trembling  I 
approached  the  burly  dignitary.  He  was  attired 
in  a  costly  and  glittering  new  uniform.  I  saluted 
a  la  mode^  without  arm<^,  of  course  ;  but  he  simply 
stared,  and  did  not  return  my  salute.  Possibly 
he  felt  himself  too  big  to  do  so,  or,  what  is  more 
likely,  he  probably  was  Ignorant  at  this  time  of  the 
common  usages  of  military  law. 

"  Captain,"  said  I,  "my  object  in  calling  on  you 
is,  in  a  measure,  in  the  interest  of  the  government 
and  the  cause  which  you  have  espoused.  Although 
but  a  mere  civilian,  I  beg  to  offer  you  a  friendly 
suggestion  in  relation  to  the  three  men  of  your 
command  who  are  now  pilloried  in  the  most  pub- 
lic place  in  town.  Their  punishment  Is  extraor- 
dinary. I  have  never  seen  anything  like  it ;  'tis 
both  humiliating  and  degrading,  giving  satis- 
faction to  the  enemy,  who  are  quite  numerous 
here,  and  also  discouraging  in  the  extreme  to 
your  own  men  and  to  the  friends  of  the  Union 
cause — " 

"  By  G — d,  sir,"  interrupted  the  captain  ;  "  I'll 
have  discipline,  or  know  the  reason  why;  these 
d — d  thieves  have  been  pilfering  and  thieving 

3 


36  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

from  the  citizens  for  some  time  past,  and  I  am 
determined  to  make  an  example  of  them." 

"  I  am  aware  of  that,  sir,  having  suffered  myself 
from  the  depredations  of  some  of  the  troops  ;  yet, 
were  these  culprits  the  men  who  stole -my  prop- 
erty, I  would  plead  just  as  earnestly  for  their 
release  as  I  now  do  for  these  poor  devils,  simply 
on  the  grounds  of  proper  discipline.  I  would, 
however,  have  them  placed  in  confinement,  and 
then  prefer  charges  against  them,  and  let  a  regi- 
mental court-martial  adjudicate  their  cases;  or,  in 
minor  cases,  when  on  detached  duty  as  you  are,  I 
would  impose  extra  duty,  knapsack  drill,  etc." 

The  captain's  eyes  had  opened  considerably  by 
this  time,  and  in  a  somewhat  modified  tone  of 
voice  he  asked  : 

"Who  are  you,  sir?" 

"  My  name  is  Egan,"  I  replied. 

"Are  you  a  relative  of  Tom  Egan,  the  con- 
tractor ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  he  Is  a  brother  of  mine." 
'"I  know  Tom  well,"  said  the  captain ;  "he  Is  a 
number-one  fellow,  and  he  and  myself  have  had 
many  pleasant  times,  socially,  at  Clarksburg." 

I  then  recollected  having  heard  my  brother 
speak  of  a  Mr.  Shuman,  whom  he  appeared  to 
think  a  good  fellow,  although  somewhat  rough  in 
manner. 

The  captain  and  myself  soon  became  more 
friendly,  and  when  I  finally  left  his  quarters  and 


PROPENSITIES    FOR    PILFERI'NG.  37 

walked  up  town,  I  had  the  pleasure  and  gratifica- 
tion of  seeing  that  the  men  with  the  unsightly 
nose-bags  over  their  heads  had  been  released. 
They  probably  never  learned  the  cause  of  their 
speedy  deliverance. 

Soon  after  this  unique  experiment  at  discipline 
I  saw  another — that  of  ** bucking  and  gagging" — 
practised  on  an  unfortunate  infantryman.  He  had 
been  placed  in  a  vacant  house  near  the  West 
Fork  bridge,  at  Weston,  which  little  town  was 
fast  becoming  notorious  for  such  displays  of  newly 
found  and  blind  authority. 

The  soldier  was  lying  on  the  broad  of  his  back, 
with  his  hands  and  feet  securely  tied,  and  had  a 
stout  stick  placed  in  his  mouth  and  made  firmly 
fast  behind  his  head.  The  poor  creature,  who 
was  under  the  influence  of  liquor,  was  suffering 
severely  from  his  violent  and  futile  efforts  to 
extricate  himself  from  his  bonds.  He  also  was 
charged  with  theft  and  drunkenness. 

This  propensity  for  pilfering  was  not  confined 
to  the  troops  alone.  Even  the  unenlisted  team- 
sters in  those  times  entertained  the  idea  that  they 
might  plunder  and  steal  with  impunity.  They 
did  not  hesitate  to  purloin  the  property  of  former 
neighbors,  as  well  as  others,  along  their  line  of 
march.  A  case  in  point  came  under  my  observa- 
tion that  was  visited  with  such  speedy  punishment 
that  it  served  to  give  a  salutary  check  to  these 
depredations  in  our  locality. 


38  THE    FiLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

Colonel  Stanley  Matthews,  of  an  Ohio  regi- 
ment, now  an  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  had  just  arrived  at 
Weston,  with  a  part  of  his  command,  from  Glen- 
ville,  Gilmer  county.  Some  of  his  teamsters  in 
the  supply  train,  who  had  been  neighbors  of  ours, 
when  about  eight  miles  from  town,  on  Leading 
creek,  saw  a  flock  of  sheep  on  my  brother  Tom's 
farm,  grazing  near  the  pike  upon  which  they  were 
marching.  Two  or  three  of  the  teamsters  at 
once  commenced  firing  on  the  sheep,  killing  a 
couple  and  crippling  several  others.  I  was  at  my 
home,  a  mile  away,  at  the  time,  but  soon  got  word 
of  the  outrage.  Considering  it  an  act  of  wanton 
deviltry,  as  I  learned  they  had  not  taken  the  car- 
casses of  the  sheep,  I  became  very  much  incensed, 
and,  hastily  picking  up  my  rifle,  I  hurried  to  the 
woods  overlooking  the  field  where  the  sheep  were, 
fully  determined  to  "bushwhack''  the  next  sheep- 
killer.  But  I  was  too  late ;  the  main  body  of  the 
troops  had  by  this  time  passed  the  farm.  Going 
to  my  brother's  house,  I  found  him  feeling  very 
much  annoyed  at  the  mean  action  of  the  teamsters, 
two  of  whom  he  recognized. 

I  immediately  got  on  a  horse  and  rode  into 
town  and  up  to  the  headquarters  of  Colonel 
Matthews,  and  laid  the  case  before  him.  He  was 
quite  indignant  at  the  action  of  the  men  and 
assured  me  that  he  would  at  once  investigate  the 
matter,  and  that  I  should  receive  ample  satisfac- 


MILITARY    DISCIPLINE.'  39 

tion.  He  did  as  he  promised;  the  culprits  were 
arrested  by  his  orders,  and  brought  before  him 
and  ordered  to  make  full  reparation.  The  prison- 
ers, by  this  time  thoroughly  frightened,  willingly 
promised  to  do  so,  and  the  colonel  requested  me 
to  name  the  amount  of  damages  that  we  had  suf- 
fered. Seeing  the  men  penitent,  and  having  been 
acquainted  with  them  previously,  I  relented  and 
placed  a  merely  nominal  value  upon  the  sheep, 
and  at  the  same  time  interceded  with  the  com- 
mander to  save  the  men  from  further  punish- 
ment. They  were  finally  permitted  to  go  with  a 
severe  reprimand. 

I  take  pleasure  in  stating  that  these  boys  after- 
wards performed  services  of  such  value,  both  to 
the  Government  and  myself,  that  more  than  over- 
balanced the  offence  above  related.  I  would  not 
xlream,  for  a  moment,  of  giving  their  names  for 
publication,  in  this  connection. 

About  this  time  Colonel  LIghtburn  called  to 
see  me  for  the  purpose  of  securing  my  aid  in  or- 
ganizing a  regiment.  He  afterwards  proved  him- 
self to  be  a  good  officer,  and  I  have  often  re- 
gretted my  inability  at  that  time  to  accept  his  offer. 
I  had,  however,  a  short  while  before  his  visit, 
written  to  Mr.  David  T.  Hewes,  who  was  then 
recruiting  for  the  3d  West  Virginia  Infantry. 
Hewes  was  a  handsome,  usually  well-dressed  fel- 
low and  a  good  drill-master,  and  he  had  made  a 
favorable  mipresslon  on  me.     In  my  letter  to  him 


40  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIKED    YANK. 

I  expressed  a  desire  to  be  with  him,  and  volun- 
teered to  furnish  some  good  material  for  his 
command.  I  never  received  an  answer  from  him. 
He  was  made  Colonel  of  the  regiment  (3d  West 
Virginia  Infantry)  on  July  23,  1861,  but  when 
called  into  action  he  proved  an  entire  failure,  and, 
in  consequence,  was  dismissed  the  service. 

And  now,  ready  to  don  the  uniform  and 
march  to  the  front,  I  proceed  to  Clarksburg,  in- 
tending to  become  "a  high  private"  in  the  first 
congenial  command  that  offers,  "for  Uncle  Sam. 
and  during  the  war"  (if  I  should  live  so  long). 
But  when  I  arrived  at  the  little  town  mentioned  I 
met  my  friend  Croghan,  who  brought  me  to  the 
quarters  of  Captain  Leib,  Assistant  Quartermas- 
ter, where  I  was  offered,  and  accepted,  the  perilous 
position  of  a  military  express  courier. 

My  experiences  on  this  line,  during  the  seven 
months  following,  will  be  found  in  the  succeeding 
chapters. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Military  Express  Courier  Line  Established  Between  Clarks- 
burg AND  Gauley  Bridge  —  Appointed  First  Courier — West 
Virginia  Bushwhackers — Bill  Parsons — First  Meeting  with 
General  Rosecrans  —  Arrested  as  a  Rebel  Spy  by  Union 
Troops— Tried  by  "Drum- Head"  Court-Martial — Sentenced 
to  be  Shot — Narrow  Escape  from  Ignominious  Death, 

On  the  31st  of  August,  1861,  General  Rose- 
crans, with  his  brigade,  moved  out  of  Clarksburg, 
W.  Va.,  and  took  up  his  line  of  march  in  the 
direction  of  Gauley  Bridge,  133  miles  distant. 
He  encamped  that  night  near  Janelew,  fifteen 
miles  west  of  Clarksburg. 

In  consequence  of  the  stoppage  of  the  mails  it 
became  necessary  to  establish  an  express  courier 
line  to  his  headquarters,  to  convey  to  the  officers 
of  his  column  their  letters  and  official  documents 
from  the  headquarters  of  the  army  at  Washing- 
ton. General  Rosecrans  therefore  ordered  Cap- 
tain Charles  Leib,  Assistant  Quartermaster,  at 
Clarksburg,  to  establish  a  line  of  couriers  in  his 
rear  for  this  purpose. 

Captain  Leib  had,  at  this  time,  a  large  depot  of 
supplies  at  Clarksburg,  and  consequently  a  large 
number  of  subordinates;  but  amongst  all  his 
small  army  of  teamsters  and  other  employes  he 

(41) 


42  THE   FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED   YANK. 

failed  to  find  one  volunteer  to  bear  despatches  to 
the  general,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Cap- 
tain Leib  tendered  them  the  use  of  his  finest 
horses,  a  complete  set  of  small  arms,  and  wages 
to  the  amount  of  forty  dollars  per  month,  with 
rations. 

None  of  his  employes  were  enlisted  men,  so  he 
could  not  enforce  his  orders  in  this  particular. 
Their  reasons  for  refusing  were  obvious.  A 
short  time  before  two  young  men  attempted  to 
convey  despatches  to  Colonel  Tyler,  of  the  7th 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteers,  In  the  same  direc- 
tion, but  they  were  rather  summarily  disposed  of 
by  the  bushwhackers;  one,  a  splendid  young  fel- 
low, James  Flesher  by  name,  of  whom  I  have 
already  made  brief  mention,  v^'as  killed  outright, 
and  the  other,  Mifflin  Cutwright,  was  badly 
wounded;    they  both  resided  near  Weston. 

Captain  Leib,  in  his  book,  "The  Chances  for 
Making  a  Million,"  thus  describes  these  maraud- 
ing bandits: 

"The  bushwhackers  are  composed  of  a  class 
of  men  who  are  noted  for  their  ignorance,  indo- 
lence, duplicity  and  dishonesty;  whose  vices  and 
passions  peculiarly  fit  them  for  the  warfare  in 
which  they  are  engaged,  and  upon  which  the 
civilized  world  looks  with  horror.  Imagine  a 
stolid,  vicious-looking  countenance,  an  ungainly 
figure,  and  an  awkward,  if  not  ungraceful,  spinal 
curve  In  the  dorsal  region,  acquired  by  laziness 


THE    BUSHWHACKER.  43 

and  indifference  to  maintaining  an  erect  posture; 
a  garb  of  the  coarsest  texture  of  home-spun 
linen,  or  MInsey-woolsey/  tattered  and  torn,  and 
so  covered  with  dirt  as  not  to  enable  one  to 
guess  its  original  color;  a  dilapidated,  rimless 
hat,  or  cap  of  some  wild  animal's  skin,  covering 
his  head,  the  hair  on  which  had  not  been  combed 
for  months;  his  feet  covered  with  moccasins,  and 
a  rifle  by  his  side,  a  powder-horn  and  shot-pouch 
slung  around  his  neck,  and  you  have  the  beau 
ideal  of  the  West  Virginia  bushwhacker. 

"Thus  equipped  he  sallies  forthwith  the  stealth 
of  the  panther,  and  lies  in  wait  for  a  straggling 
soldier,  courier,  or  loyal  citizen,  to  whom  the  only 
w^arning  given  of  his  presence  is  the  sharp  click 
of  his  deadly  rifle.  He  kills  for  the  sake  of  kill- 
ing, and  plunders  for  the  sake  of  gain.  Parties 
of  these  ferocious  beasts,  under  cover  of  dark- 
ness, frequently  steal  into  a  neighborhood,  burn 
the  residences  of  loyal  citizens,  rob  stores,  tan- 
yards  and  farm-houses  of  everything  they  can  put 
to  use,  especially  arms,  ammunition,  leather,  cloth- 
ing, bedding,  and  salt. 

"They  do  not  stop  at  pillage,  for  ofttimes  is 
their  track  marked  with  blood.  The  leaders  of 
some  of  these  bands  have  acquired  great  notori- 
ety by  their  cold-blooded  brutality  and  adroitness 
at  theft ;  one  of  these  is  a  man  who  in  days  gone 
by  enjoyed  to  a  great  degree  the  confidence  of 
the  people  of  West  Virginia.     He,  together  with 


44  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

ex-Governor  Wise,  did  much  to  make  bush- 
whacking respectable  in  the  estimation  of  the 
depraved  and  ignorant 

"A  notorious  bushwhacker  is  Bill  Parsons,  or 
'  Devil  Bill,'  as  he  is  called.  Bill  is  filthy  in 
appearance,  and,  like  the  rest  of  his  class,  has  low 
instincts,  and  is  as  ferocious  as  a  hyena.  It  is  said 
he  has  eleven  wives,  and  it  is  a  fact  well  known 
that  one  of  them  is  his  own  daugrhter.  He  resides 
in  Roane  county,  where  he  has  been  guilty  of 
many  gross  outrages." 

The  quartermaster's  employes  had  ears  for 
news  of  this  kind,  and,  naturally  enough,  none  of 
them  were  prepared  to  run  the  gauntlet.  Thomas 
H.  Croghan,  a  dashing,  military-looking  fellow, 
was  foragemaster  under  Captain  Leib;  he  told 
the  captain  that  there  was  a  man  in  town  who 
he  thought  would  do  the  work.  Croghan  and 
myself  had  both  received  a  military  training  in  the 
same  school  in  Ireland,  and  were  well  acquainted 
and  good  friends.  He  introduced  me,  with  con- 
siderable eulogism,  to  Captain  Leib,  who  received 
me  very  affably,  and  said  he  hoped  that  I  would 
undertake  the  duty  spoken  of. 

I  was  fully  conscious  of  the  dangers  and  re- 
sponsibilities of  the  position,  but  after  the  flattering 
introduction  of  my  friend,  and  the  apparent  confi- 
dence reposed  in  me  by  the  appointing  power,  I 
decided  to  accept.  Having  done  so,  I  was  soon 
well   armed  and  mounted,  and   received  my  de- 


ARRIVAL    WITH    DESPATCHES.  45 

spatches  about  five  o'clock  p.  m.,  with  orders  to 
deliver  them  to  General  Rosecrans,  and,  if  pos- 
sible, to  ride  at  the  rate  of  eight  miles  an  hour. 
My  horse  being  a  good  one  I  made  good  time, 
and  arrived  in  camp,  at  Janelew,  some  time  before 
seven  o'clock  p.  m. 

It  was  about  dusk  as  I  approached  camp,  and  I 
was  promptly  challenged  at  the  outpost  with: 

"  Who  comes  there  ?  " 

"A  friend  without  the  countersign.  Call  a 
corporal  of  the  guard  and  have  me  conducted  to 
the  general's  headquarters,"  I  answered. 

This  was  complied  with  immediately  and  I  rode 
along  leisurely  with  the  corporal  to  the  general's 
tent.  The  soldier  entered  and  announced  his 
message,  and  the  general  soon  after  came  out ; 
I  saluted  him,  announced  my  name  and  delivered 
my  despatches.  He  remarked  that  my  name 
was  not  unfamiliar  to  him,  and  we  had  quite  a 
friendly  chat  of  a  few  minutes'  duration  ;  he  then 
directed  me  to  put  up  for  the  night  at  the  little 
village  of  Janelew,  and  return  with  despatches  to 
Clarksburof  in  the  morninof. 

I  was  so  highly  impressed  with  the  general's 
qualities  as  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier  that  I  was 
prepared  to  serve  him  at  all  hazards,  even  had  I 
no  higher  stimulus. 

I  returned  to  Clarksburof  as  directed  and  there 
waited  for  return  despatches  until  eight  o'clock 
the  next  evening,  when,  well  mounted  on  a  horse 


46  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HATRED    YANK. 

of  high  mettle,  I  proceeded  at  the  regular  schedule 
rate  of  eight  miles  an  hour  and  arrived  at  Weston, 
a  distance  of  twenty-four  miles,  at  eleven  o'clock 
p.  M.,  September  ist. 

On  approaching  the  town  I  slackened  up,  ex- 
pecting to  find  an  out-post  of  our  troops  reported 
to  be  then  stationed  at  Weston,  but  found  none. 
I  then  thought  I  should  encounter  one  at  Coal- 
Stone  bridge,  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  town, 
but  did  not ;  and  reached  the  centre  of  the  town 
without  beinof  challenored.  I  learned  from  a  few 
stragglers  whom  I  met  on  my  way  In  that  there 
were  two  or  three  regiments  encamped  on,  or 
near,  the  State  Asylum  grounds ;  the  main  body 
of  the  troops  having  continued  on  the  march  and 
encamped  near  Bulltown. 

My  horse  had  slipped  a  shoe,  and,  although  a 
good  animal,  showed  signs  of  fatigue.  I  wished 
to  report  to  the  officer  in  command  and  either 
get  a  fresh  horse  or  have  some  proper  person 
proceed  with  the  despatches.  I  crossed  West 
Fork  bridge,  on  the  northern  part  of  the  town 
and  in  close  proximity  to  the  asylum  ground,  the 
encampment  of  the  troops,  where  above  all  other 
places  there  should  have  been  a  guard,  without 
being  halted  by  any  one ;  in  fact  I  had  entered 
and  passed  through  the  town  and  up  to  the  head- 
quarters of  Colonel  Ewing,  who  was  in  command 
of  the  troops,  the  30th  and  47th  Ohio  Regiments, 
without  once  being  challenged. 


X   •   •  V*  ♦.•  *   ' 


OIAJOR-GENERAL  WILLIAM   S.   ROSECRANS. 


ARRESTED    AS    A    SPY.  49 

I  reported  and  showed  my  despatches  to  the 
colonel,  who  received  me  very  kindly.  Under- 
standing my  late  and  fast  ride,  he  asked  me  to 
partake  of  some  refreshments.  Captain  Smith, 
his  gentlemanly  quartermaster,  handed  me  a 
glass  of  good  liquor,  of  which  I  drank  moderately. 
I  then  said  that  if  I  had  a  fresh  horse  I  would 
proceed  to  Bulltown  with  the  despatches.  Colo- 
nel Ewing  directed  me  to  report  to  the  post 
quartermaster,  Ransom,  who  would  either  re- 
lieve me  of  the  despatches  or  furnish  me  with  the 
needed  animal.  Before  leaving  the  colonel  asked 
me  how  I  got  into  the  quarters.  This  was  a 
ticklish  question.  A  straightforward  answer 
would  be  a  serious  charge  against  all  the  pickets. 
I  therefore  simply  told  him  that  when  I  ap- 
proached the  camp  I  called  for  a  corporal  of  the 
guard  to  conduct  me  to  his  headquarters. 

I  found  Captain  Ransom  in  bed  at  Bailee's 
Hotel ;  he  told  me  he  would  have  the  despatches 
forwarded  early  next  morning. 

Upon  coming  down  from  the  captain's  room 
I  was  taken  into  custody  by  a  guard,  and  placed 
in  close  confinement  In  a  Sibley  tent.  The  officer 
in  charge  of  this  guard  had  been,  for  some  time 
previously,  stationed  at  Weston,  and  therefore 
he  must  have  known  me,  but  being  in  command, 
as  I  suppose,  of  the  pickets  on  that  night,  Sep- 
tember I,  1861,  and  conscious  of  having  been 
derelict  in  his  duty  in  allowing  them  to  desert 


50  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

their  posts,  he  was  fearful,  no  doubt,  of  this  fact 
becoming  known  through  me,  knowing,  as  he  did, 
that  such  a  serious  breach  of  discipHne  was,  ac- 
cording to  military  law,  punishable  with  death. 
He  had,  therefore,  in  order  to  save  himself, 
helped  to  trump  up  false  charges  against  me ; 
some  of  which  were,  I  afterwards  learned,  that  I 
had  been  seen  prowling  about  the  precincts  of 
the  encampment  on  that  evening ;  that  I  had 
been  a  rebel  spy  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run ; 
and  that  I  must  have  killed  the  regular  courier, 
or  despatch- bearer,  etc. 

At  the  time,  however,  I  was  kept  in  total  ignor- 
ance of  all  this ;  they  did  not  even  once  intimate 
to  me  their  reasons  for  my  arrest  and  the  plac- 
ing over  me  of  an  armed  guard,  which  later  on 
they  saw  fit  to  double.  In  answer  to  my  inquiries 
as  to  the  meaning  of  it  all,  the  men  in  whose  im- 
mediate custody  I  was  either  could  not  or  would 
not  tell  me. 

Some  time  after  midnight  I  was  aroused  from 
a  deep  reverie  by  the  entrance  of  a  gentleman. 
That  he  was  a  gentleman,  brave  and  intelligent, 
became  deeply  impressed  upom  my  mind,  because, 
among  all  the  officers  of  these  two  regiments, 
he  was  the  only  one  whom  I  found  to  possess 
these  desirable  qualities  ;  this  was  Captain  Smith, 
brigade  or  regimental  assistant  quartermaster. 
He  was  the  first  and  only  one  to  make  me  aware 
of  the  tragic  role  I  was  about  to  play.     He  told 


SENTENCED    TO    BE    SHOT.  5 1 

me  that  they  were  then  trying  me  under  "  Drum- 
head "  Court  Martial,  for  being  a  rebel  spy.  He 
was  quite  sympathetic  and  kind,  and  seemed, 
personally,  to  entertain  no  doubt  of  my  loyalty. 
He  wanted  me  to  take  something  to  eat,  but  I 
declined,  with  thanks.  Captain  Smith  then  left, 
but  returned  again  an  hour  or  so  later,  and  in- 
formed me  that  I  had  been  found  guilty  and  was 
to  be  shot  at  nine  o'clock  that  morning.  This 
would  leave  me  just  five  and  a  half  hours  to  live. 
The  thoughts  of  my  wife,  then  about  twenty  years 
old,  who,  with  our  two  dear  little  ones,  aged  re- 
spectively four  and  two  years,  was  then  living 
nine  miles  northwest  of  Weston,  and  in  a  delicate 
state  of  health,  in  which  a  sudden  shock  or  fright 
might  be  attended  with  serious  consequences  to 
her,  might  well  have  unmanned  me  during  this 
trying  ordeal :  but  when  the  dawn  of  morning 
came,  and  after  the  tap  of  the  martial  drum, 
squad  after  squad  of  the  troops  appeared  at  my 
tent,  at  the  entrance  of  which  I  stood,  and  with 
exulting  and  taunting  remarks  called  me  "  d — n 
rebel  spy,"  their  conduct  only  served  to  steel  me 
to  a  bearing  of  scornful  defiance,  and  I  called 
them  cowards  and  poltroons,  whom  Russell,  of 
the  London  Times,  had  published  as  such,  for 
throwing  down  their  arms  at  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Run. 

There  was  one  individual,  Vixbeck  by  name, 
that  figured  in  this  little  tragedy,  who  could,  I 


52  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

think,  be  safely  called  a  counterpart  in  disposition 
of  the  atrocious  Simon  Girty,  of  Indian  notoriety. 
He  was  one  of  the  guards  placed  over  me,  and  he 
cruelly  overstepped  his  orders  in  adopting  every 
method  he  could  devise  to  annoy  and  intimidate 
me,  or  induce  me  to  run  from  his  demonstrative 
threats,  in  order  that  he  might  have  a  slight  pre- 
text for  appeasing  his  evident  thirst  for  my  life. 
With  the  eye  and  grimace  of  a  fiend  he  would 
bring  his  musket  to  the  position  of  "  charge 
bayonets  "  with  the  cold  steel  scarcely  two  feet 
from  my  breast,  the  hammer  at  full  cock,  and  all 
the  time  fingering  the  trigger  nervously,  urged 
by  many  of  his  comrades  of  the  same  gentle 
stripe  to  "let  it  go  off,  accidentally,  into  the  d — n 
rebel  spy,"  as  they  kindly  styled  me.  This  crea- 
ture, if  he  is  alive  to  peruse  this  description  of 
himself,  may  feel  that  I  have  done  him  an  injustice; 
but  I  do  not  think  he  is  possessed  of  sufficient 
courage  to  ask  me  to  retract  it. 

My  brother,  Thomas  Egan,  two  years  my  senior, 
together  with  his  family,  was  living  at  Weston  at 
the  time  of  my  arrest.  He  was  then  the  proprie- 
tor of  the  Union  House,  and  was  himself  Union 
to  the  core.  He  was  a  most  kind  and  affectionate 
brother.  He  had  heard  of  my  dangerous  situa- 
tion early  that  morning,  and,  in  a  state  of  distrac- 
tion, hurried  over  to  the  officers'  quarters  to 
explain  to  them  their  mistake.  They  did  not 
allow  him  to  approach  me,  but  from  the  entrance 


LED    FORTH    TO    DIE,  53 

of  my  tent  where  I  stood  I  could  see  a  squad  of 
men  driving  him  out  of  the  camp  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet.  This  treatment  of  my  brother  by 
the  troops  created  considerable  indignation  among 
the  citizens  of  the  town,  where  he  was  very  well 
and  favorably  known. 

In  my  behalf  Colonel  Ewing  was  also  waited 
upon  by  several  of  the  most  prominent  and  influ- 
ential men  of  the  place.  They  assured  him,  in 
the  strongest  terms,  of  my  loyalty,  and  of  the 
impossibility  of  my  being  guilty  of  the  charges 
made  against  me  ;  and,  in  conclusion,  stated  that, 
unless  I  was  at  once  released,  a  full  report  of  the 
proceedings  would  be  forwarded  to  General 
Rosecrans.  The  colonel,  however,  remained 
obdurate,  and,  as  it  was  now  about  nine  o'clock, 
the  detail  for  my  execution  was  made.  I  was  led 
forth,  and  they  loaded  in  my  presence. 

At  this  critical  juncture,  and  after  I  had  given 
up  all  hopes  of  life,  a  telegram  was  handed  Col- 
onel Ewing,  dated  Clarksburg,  from  Captain 
Leib,  demanding,  in  language  he  well  knew  how 
to  employ,  my  instant  release. 

The  colonel  then,  for  the  first  time  since  my 
arrest,  condescended  to  see  me.  He  ordered  his 
men  to  set  me  free,  and  approaching  me  in  the 
most  affable  manner  he  could  assume,  said  he 
hoped  I  would  excuse  him  for  the  hasty  and  harsh 
treatment  I  had  received,  adding  that  "  the  exi- 


54  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

gencies  of  the  times,  and  the  necessity  for  strict 
discipline,  justified  rigid  measures." 

I  took  occasion  to  remind  him  that  it  was  the 
total  absence  of  discipline  that  had  endangered 
my  life ;  that  the  enemy  possessed  of  half  his  force 
might  on  this  night  have  annihilated  his  entire 
command  before  it  would  have  been  possible  to 
check  the  onslaught;  that  he  did  not  have  a 
picket,  or  outpost,  in  any  direction  surrounding 
his  camp,  and  concluded:  "I  was,  sir,  about  to 
pay  the  penalty  of  this  very  strict  discipline  you 
talk  of,  but  I  shall  lay  the  circumstances,  in  proper 
form,  before  General  Rosecrans."  When  I  had 
finished  I  turned  and  walked  away. 

We  will  now  revert,  briefly,  to  the  cause  of  my 
deliverance.  When  arrested  I  was  divested  of 
everything  of  value,  including  my  memorandum 
book  and  pencil.  When  Captain  Smith  visited 
me  the  second  time  to  inform  me  that  I  was  to  be 
shot  at  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning,  I  asked 
him  for  paper  and  pencil,  which  he  cheerfully 
furnished  me.  I  thereupon  indited  a  telegram  to 
Captain  Leib,  stating  as  briefly  as  possible  my 
critical  condition,  brought  about,  I  claimed,  by  the 
culpability  of  Colonel  Ewlng  and  his  command, 
and  requesting  that  he  (Leib)  wire  Ewlng  to 
release  me.  Captain  Smith  kindly  took  this  mes- 
sage to  the  telegraph  office,  and  had  it  forwarded 
to  Clarksburof.  The  reader  knows  the  result. 
To  the  kindness  of  Captain  Smith  therefore,  and 


SAVED.  55 

the  efficient  working  of  the  telegraph  Hne,  which 
had  been  in  operation  only  a  few  days,  do  I  owe 
my  escape  from  the  Ignominious  death  of  a  spy. 

Upon  my  release  my  effects  were  returned  to 
me.  On  going  Into  town  from  the  camp  I  took 
out  my  diary  to  make  some  entries,  as  was  my 
usual  custom,  when  Dr.  T.  B.  Camden,  who  was 
accompanying  me,  wisely  reminded  me  that  I  was 
acting  imprudently,  as  this  action  on  my  part 
might  be  noticed  and  taken  advantage  of  by  the 
angry  and  still  doubting  troops. 

When  I  appeared  before  my  brother  and  his 
family  at  their  home,  I  found  them  and  my  wife, 
who  had  come  into  town  early  that  morning,  In  a 
state  of  great  distraction,  and  lamenting  me  as 
dead ;  but — 

**  Soon  my  presence  allayed  their  fears, 
While  reactive  joy  smiled  through  their  tears." 

My  wife  and  brother  Tom's  family  now  united 
in  entreating  me,  in  the  strongest  terms,  to  dis- 
continue so  hazardous  and  ill-requited  a  position, 
the  duties  of  which  would  now  compel  me  to  run 
the  gauntlet  of  a  twofold  enemy — that  of  the 
rebel  bushwhackers  on  one  side  and  this  portion 
of  our  troops  on  the  other ;  the  latter  being  fearful 
of  the  results  of  my  threatened  report,  and  being 
anxious,  my  friends  Insisted,  "  to  remove  me  on  a 
very  slight  pretext."  I  loved  my  family  as  ten- 
derly as  could  any  husband  and  father ;  the  salary, 


56  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

forty  dollars  per  month,  was  no  inducement,  as 
for  that  amount  alone  I  would  not  make  one  such 
trip,  and  I  was  under  no  legal  or  binding  obliga- 
tion, military  or  civil,  to  detain  me  in  the  service 
if  I  wished  to  retire.  It  may  therefore  appear 
strange  when  I  state  that  the  only  motive  I  had 
in  remaining  was  a  desire  to  be  of  use  to  the 
government  in  my  humble  though  perilous  way, 
a  way,  too,  where  few  volunteers  seemed  willing 
to  take  a  chance.  Expert  horsemanship  also 
was  essential  to  a  military  couriers  work,  and 
many  good  soldiers  were  lacking  here. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  Timid  Superintendent — Poor  Work  and  Early  Dismissal — His 
Successor  also  a  Failure — Capture  of  two  Couriers — Escape 

OF  ONE  and  his  QUICK  PROMOTION  AND    SUBSEQUENT    SUDDEN   OFFI- 
CIAL Decapitation — My  Appointment  as  Superintendent. 

General  Rosecrans  was  now  briskly  following 
Floyd  and  Wise  towards  Gauley  Bridge. 

Captain  Leib,  Assistant  Quartermaster,  ap- 
pointed Mr.  A.  F.  Newman  Superintendent  of 
the  Express  Courier  line,  with  instructions  to 
establish  stations  eight  miles  apart,  prepare  a  time- 
table, and  order  the  couriers  to  push  forward  as 
rapidly  as  possible  with  the  despatches  for  General 
Rosecrans  and  his  command.  They  were  also 
directed  to  watch  the  military  telegraph  line,  and 
to  report  to  the  nearest  office  when  the  Hne  was 
discovered  to  be  out  of  order. 

Newman,  on  his  first  trip,  when  he  had  pene- 
trated some  distance  into  the  enemy's  lines,  be- 
came painfully  suspicious  of  danger ;  many  of  the 
horses  of  his  line  were  captured  also,  and  others 
were  returned  to  Clarksburg  with  sore  backs,  and 
lame,  and  otherwise  ill-treated  by  their  riders  ;  the 
mails  became  very  irregular ;  the  general  grum- 
bled ;  his  staff  grumbled,  and  there  was  a  general 

(57) 


58      ,         THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HATRED    YANK. 

grumbling  time  at  headquarters,  so  he  was  dis- 
charged. 

Mr.  Angus  M.  Relger,  an  itinerant  preacher 
from  Clarksburg,  was  next  appointed.  He  made 
two  or  three  trips  and  then  resigned,  nor  could  he 
be  induced  to  make  another  trip.  This  is  not 
surprising  when  it  is  known  that  the  wild  bush- 
whackers along  the  line  were  so  unchristianlike 
as  to  fire,  with  deadly  intent,  upon  his  reverence. 

About  this  time  two  stout,  intelligent  men. 
named,  respectively,  Peter  Bryson,  who  served 
with  credit  afterwards,  and  J.  L.  Merryman,  were 
captured  by  Captain  Imboden,  and  a  squad  of 
rebel  infantry,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  James  Boggs, 
a  loyal  man,  on  the  top  of  Powell  mountain.  The 
prisoners  were  taken  as  far  as  Meadow  Bluffs, 
where  Merryman  begged  off.  He  had  been  a 
school-teacher,  and  was  gifted  with  an  easy  flow 
of  language  and  a  good  address.  He  was  a 
widower,  having  several  young  children  depen« 
dent  on  him  for  support.  He  dwelt  with  pathetic 
earnestness  upon  this  latter  circumstance  before 
Captain  Imboden,  and  said  that  he  sympathized 
with  the  Southern  cause  as  much  as  anybody,  but 
that  the  necessity  of  providing  for  his  motherless 
children  found  him  in  the  position  of  courier, 
which  was  but  a  civil  one  at  most.  He  was  suc- 
cessful in  his  pleadings  and  was  allowed  to  return 
home,  while  Bryson  was  taken  to  Libby  prison. 
Soon  after  this,  Merryman  reported  to  Captain 


BRAVE    BRAGGING.  59 

Leib,  at  Clarksburg,  and  recounted  to  him,  in 
thrilling  words,  his  marvellous  exploits  in  effecting 
his  escape  from  the  "  rebs."     He  stated  to  the 
captain,  with  many  additions,  that  shordy  after  his 
capture  by  the  rebels  he  was  escorted  by  one  of 
their  number  to  a  spring  to  procure  water ;  arrived 
there,  he  knocked  down  the  guard  and  effected 
his  escape,  and  by  the  exercise  of  great  bravery 
and  shrewdness  he  finally  got  through,  after  suf- 
fering many  privations.     His  plausible  story  was 
believed,  and,  as  a  reward  for  his  brilliant  achieve- 
ments, he  was  immediately  promoted  to  the  su- 
perlntendency  of  the  line.     I  never  could  under- 
stand, except  on  one  hypothesis,  how  Merryman 
could  be  induced  to  undertake  such  a  perilous 
position,  which  he  so  cheerfully  did  immediately 
after  being  paroled  by  Captain  Imboden.     He  now 
set  about  picking  up  several  of  his  friends  for  the 
purpose  of  giving  them  the  fancy  places  on  the 
line,  discharging  or  transferring  old  and  good  men 
to  do  so.     He  made  a  requlsiuon  on  Clarksburg 
for  fresh  horses  and  other  supplies ;  and  in  his 
personal  outfit  the  Inner  man  was  not  forgotten. 

Being  the  first  courier  on  the  Hne,  my  station 
was  eight  miles  from  Clarksburg,  but  this  was  a 
place  that  he  had  his  eye  on  for  one  of  his  fa- 
vorites. He  showed  considerable  pomposity  when 
he  came  out  where  I  was  stationed,  and  soon  gave 
me  to  understand  that  he  purposed  making  a 
number  of  changes   on   the   line,   and   that  he 


60  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

v/ould  have  to  place  me  about  thirty  or  forty  miles- 
farther  out.  I  was  aware  that  I  stood  well  at  head- 
quarters ;  that  I  could  have  superintended  the  line 
from  the  start  if  I  had  wished  to,  and  that  I  might 
disregard  with  impunity  the  orders  of  the  new 
superintendent ;  but  I  told  him  that  I  was  ready 
to  go  immediately  on  any  part  of  the  line  that  he 
wished,  but  at  the  same  time  suggesting  that  it 
might  be  better  to  permit  me  to  remain  where  I 
was. 

He  paid  little  attention  to  my  remonstrance  but 
ordered  me  to  get  ready  to  start.  Fully  equipped, 
Merryman  and  myself  proceeded  to  Janelew,  our 
next  station,  a  good  Union  village,  notwithstand- 
ing the  chief  residents  were  relatives  of  "Stone- 
wall "  Jackson.  It  had  always  been  a  hospitable 
town  for  the  w^eary  stranger  to  put  up  at,  and 
being  acquainted  there  I  introduced  Mr.  Merry- 
man  as  our  new  superintendent,  and  he  was  re- 
ceived with  great  cordiality  and  respect. 

Here  at  Janelew  was  stationed  Robert  Carru- 
thers,  an  intelligent  Englishman.  He  was  well 
adapted  to  the  business,  being  a  light  weight  and 
a  o-ood  horseman.  He  too  had  to  leave  in  order 
to  make  room  for  another  pet. 

I  wish  to  remark  just  here,  that  the  appointment 
of  competent  citizens  on  a  courier  line  through  an 
enemy's  country  was  a  wise  idea,  as  they  were 
subject  to  less  danger  and  interruption  than  a 
uniformed  soldier  would  have  been. 


A   SUMMARY    DISMISSAL.  6 1 

The  change  of  stations  proved  a  bad  one  for 
Carruthers.  Merryman  placed  him  in  about  che 
worst  place  on  the  line,  in  consequence  of  which 
he  had  several  narrow  escapes,  and  lost  consider- 
able Government  property.  We  now  pushed  on 
for  Weston,  where  we  made  a  short  stay  ;  next  to 
Crowell's,  thence  to  Jacksonville,  where  Merryman 
left  me.  On  my  second  trip  after  arriving  at 
Jacksonville  I  rode  to  Weston,  fifteen  miles  dis- 
tant, and  reported  by  wire  to  Captain  Leib,  at 
Clarksburg,  the  circumstances  of  my  transfer.  He 
telegraphed  Merryman  and  myself  to  return  to 
headquarters  immediately.  I  noticed  on  our  re- 
turn, that  the  new  superintendent  was  not  quite 
so  merry  as  when  he  first  started  out  to  make 
wholesale  changes  on  the  line ;  he  was  now  very 
affable  in  his  manner  toward  me  and  appeared  to 
suspect  that  he  may  have  made  a  mistake  in 
ignoring  the  respectful  suggestions  I  had  made 
to  him. 

Captain  Leib  had  the  reputation  of  being  a 
man  of  ability  and  good  judgment ;  he  was  also  a 
man  of  few  words,  and  these  were  generally  sharp 
and  to  the  point.  Mr.  Merryman  and  myself  soon 
stood  before  him  In  his  office.  He  addressed 
himself  to  Merryman,  and.  In  his  characteristic 
style,  said : 

"  Sir,  I  do  not  require  your  services  any  longer; 
render  up  whatever  government  property  you 
may  have  in  your  charge." 


62  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

During  this  scene  the  large,  intelligent  eyes 
of  the  dashing  foragemaster  of  the  post,  Tom 
Croghan,  were  fixed  on  the  short-lived  superin- 
tendent ;  there  was  a  short  but  funny  history  in 
the  peculiarity  of  the  broad,  quizzical  grin  of  the 
inimitable  Irishman  as  he  surveyed  the  now 
crestfallen  ex-superintendent. 

Captain  Leib  now  turned  to  me.  "  Mr.  Egan," 
said  he,  "  if  you  had  so  intimated  you  might  have 
been  in  charge  of  the  express  line  from  the  start; 
and  now,  I  wish  you  to  take  charge  of  it,  and  if 
you  do  so  I  am  satisfied  it  will  be  efficiently 
worked." 

I  thanked  him  for  his  confidence  in  me,  and 
said  that  I  should  strive  to  not  disappoint  him  in 
his  favorable  impression  of  me.  It  is  apparent 
from  the  following  paragraph  taken  from  his  book, 
"The  Chances  for  Making  a  Million,"  that  he  did 
not  change  his  first  opinion  of  me: 

"  Michael  Egan,"  says  he,  "was  the  only  super- 
intendent of  the  express  line  who  was  really 
efficient.  He  was  the  first  courier  sent  forward, 
and  in  the  discharge  of  duty  stopped  at  nothing: 
swam  streams  swollen  by  the  heavy  rains  of  that 
country,  crossed  the  mountains  when  he  knew  the 
bushwhacking  bloodhounds  were  on  his  track,  and 
when  warned  not  to  attempt  their  passage  would 
quietly  reply :  '  Captain  Leib  ordered  me  not  to 
stop  until  I  had  reached  headquarters,  and  I  must 
obey.*     He  is  an  Irishman  by  birth,  had  received 


REORGANIZING    THE    LINE.  6^ 

a  liberal  education,  and  In  his  younger  days  was 
in  the  British  service.  He  knew  not  fear,  and  find- 
ing him  competent  and  meritorious  we  promoted 
him." 

I  now  proceeded  to  make  an  inventory  of  all 
the  government  property  on  the  line,  which 
occupied  some  time.  Being  aware  of  the  exist- 
ence of  many  defects  in  the  system,  I  at  once  went 
to  work  in  earnest  applying  remedies.  I  made 
no  sudden  or  ill-advised  changes,  however,  but 
carefully  examined  the  condition  of  affairs  at  each 
station,  particularly  the  treatment  given  the 
horses.  As  a  result  of  my  first  trip  out  I  became 
very  angry  at  the  manner  in  which  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  poor  animals  had  been  treated.  I  am 
fond  of  horses,  and  am  always  painstaking  in  my 
care  of  'them,  but  on  this  inspection  I  found  the 
majority  of  them  lame,  or  afflicted  with  sore  backs, 
or  both,  and  otherwise  neglected.  I  could  not 
understand  how  a  horse  used  only  two  hours  in 
the  twenty-four  could  by  any  reasonably  fair 
treatment  be  used  up  in  such  a  brutal  manner. 

I  soon  shaped  things  differently  at  every  station, 
and,  as  a  result,  thenceforward  there  were  no 
complaints,  nor  causes  for  complaint,  from  head- 
quarters. 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Military  Telegraph — Mastering  a  Vicious  Horse — A  Remi- 
niscence OF  Dublin  Park — On  the  "  Hog-Back  " — Chased  by  a 
Squad  of  Rebel  Cavalry — Saved  by  my  Horse's  Noble  Quali- 
ties— A  Long  Way  Around,  but  a  Safe  Way  Home — Accommo- 
dations for  Man  and  Beast. 

In  addition  to  the  express  maiUroute  General 
Rosecrans  established  a  military  telegraph-line 
between  Clarksburg  and  Gauley  Bridge.  This 
line  had  suffered  from  more  or  less  inter'ruption 
for  some  time  before  I  was  made  superintendent. 
I  used  it  quite  often  afterwards  to  transmit  to 
headquarters  any  information  that  I  thought  of 
benefit  to  the  service.  I  have  frequently,  while 
travelling  over  the  line,  dismounted  and  repaired 
the  wire  where  broken,  having  a  slight  knowledge 
of  "  splicing,"  acquired  previously. 

I  was  now  almost  incessantly  in  the  saddle,  not 
remaining  a  single  day  in  one  place.  Swollen 
rivers  and  streams  sometimes  checked  general 
travel,  but  I  was  never  balked  by  such  impedi- 
ments, invariably  plunging  my  horse  into  the 
streams  and  swimming  them,  generally  without 
mishap. 

On  one  of  my  trips  over  the  mountains,  when 
approaching  Summerville,  Nicholas  county,  West 
(64) 


PRACTICING    HORSEMANSHIP.  65 

Virginia,  I  was  confronted  for  the  first  time  with 
something  like  miUtary  order.  I  was  halted  and 
challenged,  in  accordance  with  strict  military  rules, 
by  a  soldier  well  put  up,  orderly,  and  clean.  1  at 
once  thought  there  must  be  an  officer  in  command 
who  knew  his  business.  That  officer  was  General 
George  Crook,  then  colonel  of  the  36th  Ohio 
Infantry.  In  winter,  when  other  troops  were 
languishing  in  idleness,  his  were  healthfully  em- 
ployed in  cleaning  their  accoutrements  and  in 
drilling  under  large  sheds,  which  he  had  erected 
for  the  purpose. 

In  1861-62  a  number  of  government  horses  and 
a  large  supply  of  forage,  including  hundreds  of 
bales  of  hay,  were  kept  at  Clarksburg  as  a  depot 
of  supplies  for  our  troops,  then  pushing  out  into 
the  wilds  of  West  Virginia  after  Floyd  and  Wise. 
Thomas  H.  Croofhan,  whom  I  have  several  times 
mentioned,  rode  a  very  fine  horse,  selected  by 
himself  from  amonor  the  choicest  in  the  corral. 
As  superintendent  of  the  express  line  I  was  also 
provided  with  a  good  animal,  and  when  in  Clarks- 
burg, Croghan  and  myself  almost  daily  practised 
jumping  our  horses  over  the  bales  of  hay  which 
were  piled  up  in  an  apple-orchard  near  the 
quartermaster's  headquarters.  A  great  many  of 
the  men  who  were  unacquainted  with  this  style  of 
horsemanship  looked  upon  these  feats  as  fool- 
hardy, and  anticipated  the  breaking  of  our  necks 
sooner  or  later.     But  we  were  used  to  this  sort 


66  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

of  equestrian  exercise,  having  acquired,  while 
boys  together  in  Ireland,  a  considerable  prcfi- 
nency  in  hurdle  and  ditch  jumping. 

The  necessities  of  the  express  line  made  the 
securing  of  extraordinarily  good  horses  for  the 
couriers  very  essential,  and  in  my  capacity  of 
superintendent  I  v^^as  always  on  the  alert  to  ob- 
tain for  them  such  needed  animalsc  I  secured 
possession  of  one,  by  chance,  In  November,  i86ij 
that  served  me  nobly  as  my  individual  saddle- 
horse  on  many  occasions  afterwards,  and  he  once 
undoubtedly  saved  my  life. 

One  day  about  noon,  on  arriving  at  Clarks- 
burg after  a  continuous  ride  of  133  miles  from 
Gauley  Bridge.  I  saw,  when  opposite  Dent's  ho- 
tel, a  dashing  and  fiery  gray  horse  and  his  rider 
both  furiously  contending  for  the  mastery.  The 
horse,  I  learned,  was  government  property,  and 
was  known  as  ''Hannibal;"  the  animal  was  in 
the  habit  of  going  when  and  where  he  pleased, 
and  had  conquered,  since  his  purchase  by  the 
quartermaster,  three  or  four  of  the  clerks  who 
had  undertaken  to  master  him.  Jimmy  Runyon 
was  now  astride  of  him.  Jimmy  was  a  son  of 
the  master  of  transportation,  and  was  a  plucky 
lad  who  seldom  failed  in  doing  anything  he 
undertook. 

There  was  quite  a  crowd  collected  around  the 
horse,  attracted  by  his  rearing  and  plunging;  he 
had  quite  a  hard  mouth,  and  the  boy's  tugging  at 


-  ■■  '-^ 

■    •  >% 
■■■• .  *'A 


GEORGE  CROOK,  Major-General  U.  S.  A. 


A    FIERY    STEED.  69 

the  bridle-reins  seemed  to  have  Httle  effect  upon 
him.  Rushing  to  the  side  walls  of  adjacent 
houses,  and  to  the  sign-posts  on  either  side  of 
the  street,  the  vicious  animal  sought  to  scratch 
and  bruise  his  rider's  legs.  In  one  of  these  col- 
lisions with  a  sign-post  the  saddle-girth  broke, 
and  Jimmy  received  a  hard  fall  and  some  severe 
injuries  in  consequence.  Once  again  the  horse 
was  victorious  and  confirmed  in  his  sulks.  It 
was,  as  I  said,  about  noon,  and  the  horse,  after 
throwing  his  rider,  was  led  over  to  the  corral  to 
be  fed.  I  had  my  eye  on  the  horse  and  followed, 
determined  to  have  him,  if  possible. 

Colonel  Runyon  was  a  ruddy  and  robust  man, 
about  five   feet   ten   inches   high   and  weighing 
about  200  pounds.     He  had  a  long,  flowing,  sil- 
very beard,  and  was  quite  stern  and  imperious  in 
his   commands,   but   withal   possessed   of  great 
kindness  of  heart   beneath   his   rough   exterior. 
He  had  learned  of  the  accident  to  his  boy  and 
was  at  the  stables  when  the  gray  was  led  in.    He 
was  in  a  towering  rage  and   angry  enough   to 
shoot  the  offending  horse.     He  opened  on  Domi- 
nick  Tierney,  the  stable-boss,  and   gave   him  a 
severe   overhauling   for   permitting   his   idolized 
son  to  have  the  dangerous  horse,  knowing  him 
to  be  such.     He  then  sternly  forbade  Tierney  to 
let  the  vicious  brute  out  again.     Now  was  my 
time.     As  the  colonel  started  to  leave  the  sUble 
I  spoke  up  and  said : 


70  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-IIAIRED    YANK. 

"Colonel,  let  me  have  the  horse,  please;  I 
need  a  good  one  in  my  courier  express  busi- 
ness." 

He  looked  at  me  as  if  doubting  my  sanity, 
and  replied :  "  I  do  not  wish  to  have  a  hand  in 
your  death,  sir.  Samuel  Selby,  'Chap'  Wheeler 
and  others,  as  well  as  my  son,  Jimmy,  have  tried 
him,  and  each  trial  has  been  a  failure  and  at- 
tended with  increasing  danger." 

I  still  persisted  in  my  entreaties  for  the  horse. 
"  Egan,  you  may  have  him,"  said  the  colonel 
finally;  "but  he  will  most  certainly  kill  you." 

"I'll  try  him  right  now,"  I  rejoined;  "and  if  he 
does  kill  me,  the  bushwhackers  will  be  saved 
the  trouble  of  doing  it." 

I  went  into  the  horse's  stall  and  proceeded  to 
bridle  and  saddle  the  steed.  While  doing  so, 
Tierney,  with  whom  I  was  well  acquainted,  whis- 
pered to  me  to  let  him  finish  eating  before  attempt- 
ing to  take  him  out,  as  to  do  so  would,  he  thought, 
be  very  dangerous.  I  disregarded  this  friendly 
advice,  however,  and  after  securing  a  good  riding- 
whip,  with  a  heavy  butt,  I  took  out  and  mounted 
the  gray. 

As  was  to  be  expected,  there  were  a  number 
of  employes  and  hangers-on  waiting  to  see  the 
exhibition,  when  they  learned  that  I  had  asked 
for  and  received  the  horse. 

I  had  a  very  unfavorable  place — an  apple- 
orchard   with    trees,  bales   of   hay,  wagons   and 


CONQUERING   THE    HORSE.  7 1 

Other  obstructions — In  which  to  make  the  trial 
of  subjugating  the  beast.  The  trees,  being  nu- 
merous, were  the  most  dangerous.  The  animal, 
failing  in  his  efforts  to  unseat  me  by  high  kicking, 
plunging,  buck-jumping,  etc.,  made  a  direct  drive 
for  the  trees  before  mentioned,  seeming  to  have, 
in  doing  so,  no  more  regard  for  his  own  safety 
than  he  had  for  mine.  But,  by  one  who  can  use 
the  bridle  and  roller-spurs  properly,  a  horse  going 
at  a  good  rate  of  speed  may  be  easily  turned 
from  an  obstruction  in  his  path.  In  this  case  I 
saved  the  horse  and  myself  from  injury,  although 
his  mouth  and  sides  showed  evident  signs  of  pun- 
ishment endured  from  the  bit  and  spurs.  He 
now  became  quite  obedient  and  passive  in  my 
hands,  and  I  rode  out  of  the  gate  and  up  and 
down  the  pike  several  times  without  any  further 
trouble. 

This  rough  riding  reminded  me  of  a  feat  of 
horsemanship,  and  about  the  finest  that  I  ever 
witnessed,  which  occurred  in  June,  1845,  ^^^  ^^^^ 
grand  parade  grounds  at  Phcenix  Park  depot,  in 
the  city  of  Dublin,  Ireland. 

It  was  just  after  morning  parade,  and  several 
squads  of  constabulary  were  yet  drilling  in  the 
park,  when  an  orderly,  who  was  an  expert  rough 
rider,  mounted  on  a  splendid  dark  bay  horse, 
which  was  then  being  broken  for  the  cavalry, 
came  out  of  the  depot  yard  and  started  to  the 
"castle"  for  orders.    When  at  the  entrance  to  the 

5 


72  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

barracks  the  horse  refused  to  go  out.  Then  en- 
sued a  long  and  exciting  struggle  between  horse 
and  rider  for  supremacy,  resulting,  finally,  in  the 
horse  coming  out  victorious. 

There  now  approached  from  the  direction  of 
the  stables  a  gentleman  who  walked  rapidly  to 
the  centre  of  the  square,  where  the  excitement 
was.  This  officer,  for  such  he  proved  to  be,  was 
about  twenty-five  years  old,  and  about  six  feet 
high;  in  general  build  he  was  a  perfect  model  of 
physical  manhood ;  he  was  fair  as  a  lily,  with 
large,  intelligent  blue  eyes,  somewhat  piercing  in 
their  glance;  a  healthful,  blooming  tint  suffused 
his  cheeks,  and  his  fine  yellow  hair  was  parted 
behind,  in  the  then  prevailing  fashion,  and  kept, 
like  all  his  person,  in  the  neatest  military  style. 
In  his  riofht  hand  he  carried  a  small  but  cuttinof 
riding-whip,  and  on  his  heels  were  two  highly 
burnished  roller-spurs.  This  was  Head  Constable 
Pilkington,  Chief  Drill-Master  of  the  Cavalry. 
The  horse  had  just  succeeded  in  throwing  and 
severely  bruising  his  rider  as  Pilkington  ap- 
proached. Grasping  the  reins  firmly,  he  made 
one  bound  and  was  in  the  saddle;  and  no  sooner 
was  he  safely  seated  than  he  pressed  the  cruel 
"rollers"  into  the  wild  steed's  sides.  The  animal 
reared  straight  up  on  his  hind  legs,  poising  there 
for  a  second,  and  then  pitched  forward  a  great 
distance,  tearing  up  the  fine  gravel  in  all  direc- 
tions in   his  frenzied  efforts  to  throw  his  rider. 


A   SCENE    IN    PHCENIX    PARK.  73 

Now  the  officer  reversed  his  whip,  bringing  the 
handle,  or  butt,  down  with  a  crashing  blow  on  the 
brute's  head  whenever  the  latter  would  rear  up, 
at  the  same  time  applying,  with  all  the  strength 
of  his  legs,  the  "rollers"  to  the  sides  of  the 
devilish  horse,  now  stained  red  with  gore. 

Among  all  the  numerous  spectators  to  this 
thrilling  scene,  the  head  constable  was  the  most 
cool.  The  horse  now  ceased  his  plunging  and 
dashed  ahead  towards  the  adjutant's  office,  where 
his  rider  turned  him,  and  flew  up  the  square  and 
down  In  the  direction  of  the  city  at  full  speed,  and 
then  back  again,  repassing  the  main  entrance, 
where  the  horse  made  another  feeble  attempt  to 
go  in,  but  he  was  no  longer  his  own  master.  The 
horse  was  now  broken,  but  might  relapse  into 
vicious  ways  again  if  allowed  to  fall  into  incapable 

hands. 

The  occurrence  here  narrated  was  as  vivid  in 
my  mind  that  day,  after  the  lapse  of  seventeen 
years,  as  upon  the  day  when  it  took  place,  and  it 
struck  me  as  being  not  dissimilar  to  my  experi- 
ence, except,  of  course,  the  wide  difference  in  the 
appearance  of  the  two  riders  and  their  sur- 
roundings. 


'  The  grand  old  Phoenix  Park  that  Nature,  more  than  art,  adorns; 
Perfumed  so  richly  by  the  giant  old  hawthorns, 
Whose  majestic  limbs  expand  to  meet  their  neighboring  row. 
Filled  with  blossoms,  thick  as  hops,  and  fair  as  falling  snow; 
Or  like  soft  showers,  descending  on  the  emerald  sward  below. 


74  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

''There,  too,  in  classic,  sculptured  art,  you'll  find  on  observation, 
That  rare  bird  whence  the  Park  derives  its  appellation  ; 
Meihinks  the  Eagle,  emblem  of  Liberty,  would  improve  the  breed 
Of  this  mystic  fowl,  whose  unproductive  seed 
Has  lain  too  long  dormant  in  a  land  unfreed. 

"  Here,  also,  the  aristocratic  child,  with  attendant  maid, 
Daily  from  Dublin  City  came  to  sport  and  promenade. 
And  breathe  the  gentle  breeze,  so  brncing,  fair  and  mild. 
Imparting  rosy-tinted  cheeks  alike  to  maid  and  child. 
On  a  fairer,  lovelier  spot  Dame  Nature  never  smiled." 

It  may  not  be  amiss  here  to  introduce  to  the 
reader  a  few  other  of  the  gray  horse's  peciiHar- 
ities.  The  one  I  found  the  most  difficulty  in 
breaking  him  of  was  a  propensity  for  rushing 
headlong  into  rivers,  creeks,  etc.,  whenever  he 
met  with  them ;  and  the  deeper  they  were,  the 
better  he  seemed  to  enjoy  it.  He  was  a  pacer, 
'loper,  and  a  fair  trotter.  While  galloping  he 
moved  so  smoothly  that  a  good  marksman  could 
do  some  fair  shooting  from  his  back.  I  believe 
he  was  a  brave  animal  also,  as  shooting  did  not 
annoy  him,  or  cause  him  to  swerve  in  the  least 
from  his  course.  As  I  have  before  stated,  I  am 
very  fond  of  horses,  and,  in  this  case,  there  seemed 
to  be  a  growing  mutual  attachment  between  the 
horse  and  his  rider.  I  had  him  about  four  wrecks 
when  he  showed  one  of  his  best  and  most  reliable 
qualities. 

On  the  night  of  the  15th  of  November,  1861, 
I  put  up  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Skidmore, 
in  the  town  of  Sutton,  Braxton  county.     The  night 


BLOCKADED    ON    THE    "HOG-BACK.  75 

proved  very  stormy ;  a  heavy  rain  accompanied 
by  high  winds  prevailed  for  several  hours.  Next 
morning  on  repairing  to  the  stable  where  our 
relay  horses  were  kept,  I  was  agreeably  surprised 
to  find  the  gray  there  and  in  seeming  good  condi- 
tion. I  had  several  horses  at  my  disposal,  but  I 
preferred  to  hold  Hannibal  in  reserve  for  the  most 
dangerous  part  of  my  route. 

As  I  advanced  in  the  direction  of  Gauley  Bridge 
I  noticed  considerable  havoc  done  by  the  late 
storm.  It  was  about  noon  when  I  forded  the 
Little  Birch  river.  This  stream  is  one  of  the 
clearest  in  the  State,  and  is  bordered  for  a  long 
distance  on  both  its  banks  with  spruce-pine  and 
evergreen.  On  approaching  the  river  from  the 
east,  the  roadway  had  quite  a  steep  descent  to  the 
bed  of  the  stream,  and  when  on  the  other  side,  it 
wound  around  the  hill  in  a  zior-zaof  fashion  for  about 
half  a  mile  until  a  level  plain  on  the  summit  was 
reached.  This  strip  of  road  was  known  as  the 
"hoe-back,"  because  of  its  narrow  surface  and 
precipitous  sides.  It  was  not  at  any  part  more 
than  thirty  feet  wide,  but  was  level  and  in  fair 
condition  for  travel.  At  its  very  narrowest  part, 
I  discovered  a  large  oak  tree  lying  squarely  across 
the  road,  one  of  the  results  of  the  previous  night's 
storm.  The  tree  completely  blocked  the  road,  its 
huge  limbs  and  roots  holding  it  about  three  feet 
from  the  ground. 

I  came  to  a  halt,  staggered  by  the  obstruction ; 


76  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

how  should  I  proceed  ?  The  Interlacing  of  the 
smaller  limbs  with  the  roots  of  the  tree  made  it 
impossible  to  lead  the  horse  under  the  fallen  oak. 

The  almost  perpendicular  sides  of  the  "  hog- 
back "  made  any  attempt  to  go  around  it  imprac- 
ticable and  dangerous.  The  only  thing  remain- 
ing to  be  done  was  to  jump  it.  I  had  not  up  to 
this  time  been  checked  by  the  elements,  and  I 
did  not  feel  disposed  to  give  up  now.  The  gray 
had  some  practice  in  jumping  over  the  hay  bales 
at  Clarksburg  for  our  amusement,  but  never  met 
anything  like  that  which  now  confronted  him.  I 
walked  him  up  to  the  tree,  which  was  fully  five 
feet  high,  and  the  animal  could  barely  look  over 
it.  Turning,  I  rode  back  some  twenty  or  twenty- 
five  yards,  and,  wheeling  him  right  about,  faced 
the  tree.  The  road  was  level,  as  I  have  said, 
with  a  fine  white  sandy  surface.  Pressing  the 
rollers  to  the  faithful  animal's  sides,  he  made  a 
straight  shoot  for  the  obstruction,  and,  when  with- 
in two  yards  of  it,  he  rose  gallantly  in  the  air  and 
cleared  it  like  a  bird. 

The  scene  from  this  mountain  road  is  very  fair 
to  look  upon.  In  front  one  can  see  for  miles 
away  a  beautiful  and  richly  cultivated  valley,  but 
not  the  vestiee  of  a  house  or  enclosure  :  while  on 
both  sides  of  the  road  rise  high  and  majestic  huge 
rocky,  circular-shaped  ranges,  surmounted  by  a 
wide  expanse  of  primeval  forest ;  the  whole  re- 
mindinor  one  of  what  we  read  of  the  Great  Wall 

o 


PURSUED    BY    JOHNNIES.  77 

of  China.  So  we  move  along,  amidst  the  friendly 
solitude,  more  engrossed  in  the  contemplation  of 
the  beauties  of  nature  than  on  the  belligerent 
spirit  of  man. 

When  a  half  mile  from  the  fallen  tree  my 
pleasant  meditations  were  suddenly  interrupted 
by  the  appearance,  as  I  turned  a  bend  in  the 
road,  of  a  small  party  of  Confederate  cavalry.  I 
did  not  take  long  in  deciding  on  my  line  of  ac- 
tion, but  fell  back  instandy.  As  I  did  so,  the 
"Johnnies"  raised  a  yell  and  dashed  towards  me 
at  full  speed.  Several  shots  were  fired  at  me 
without  effect,  and  I  returned  the  salute  by 
emptying  the  chambers  of  one  of  my  "  navces." 
They  then  ceased  firing,  and  it  became  an  excit- 
ing race,  narrowed  down  to  a  question  of  the 
speed  and  endurance  of  our  horses.  On  we  go 
in  this  way  for  some  time,  when,  in  a  hurried, 
backward  glance,  I  see  them  coming  pell-mell  and 
apparently  gaining  on  me.  One  of  their  number 
w^as  far  in  advance  of  his  comrades,  and  was 
mounted  on  an  exceptionally  fleet  steed.  Things 
were  looking  "  blue "  for  me  when  I  again  ap- 
proached the  fallen  tree.  I  braced  up  as  I  neared 
it,  and,  checking  my  noble  animal  slighdy,  I  rairsed 
him  at  the  right  moment,  and  he  cleared  the  ob- 
struction beautifully,  coming  down  firmly  on  his 
leors  on  the  other  side.  I  then  descended  the 
mountain  leisurely,  feeling  satisfied  that  my  pur- 
suers* game  was  blocked.     The  literal  interpreta- 


78  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

tion  of  the  old  adage,  "  It's  an  ill  wind  that  blows 
nobody  good,"  struck  me  very  forcibly.  What 
was  now  to  be  done?  Should  I  proceed,  or  turn 
back  and  once  more  run  the  risk  of  encountering 
the  enemy,  who  would,  no  doubt,  keep  a  sharp 
lookout  for  me.  If  it  were  simply  a  question  of 
profit,  or  remuneration  for  the  risk  incurred,  I 
would  not  hesitate  a  moment  to  continue  on  my 
backward  way.  Mr.  Peter  Duffey,  an  old  resi- 
dent, and  one  of  the  best  posted  men  as  regarded 
its  dangers  on  the  whole  line,  told  me  he  would 
not  make  the  trip  over  it,  in  my  capacity,  for  one 
thousand  dollars.  Had  I  been  killed,  or  crippled 
in  this  service,  neither  my  family  nor  myself 
would  have  received  a  cent  in  compensation  for 
my  loss  or  injury,  as  I  was  not  at  this  time  an  en- 
listed man. 

Determined  to  finish  my  journey,  I  rode  down 
to  the  Litde  Birch  river,  about  a  half  mile  from 
where  my  pursuers  were  baulked  by  the  tree, 
and,  turning  down  the  stream  to  the  left,  followed 
its  meanderings  for  some  distance,  unul  I  came  to 
a  favorable  place  for  ascending  the  mountain. 
Leading  my  horse,  I  scrambled  up  its  steep  and 
rocky  sides.  At  last  I  found  myself  upon  the 
road  again,  after  making  a  toilsome  circuit  of 
about  three  miles,  and  from  there  to  Big  Birch 
river,  five  miles  away,  I  kept  a  sharp  watch  out 
for  the  enemy. 

On  arriving  in  the  afternoon  at  the  home  of 


REBELS   ON    MY  TRAIL.  79 

Mr.  Frame,  I  found  his  wife,  an  estimable  lady,  In 
quite  a  nervous  state  of  mind.  She  was  aware 
that  the  rebels  were  on  my  trail,  and  was  fearful 
of  my  having  fallen  Into  their  hands,  or  of  my 
possibly  having  received  injuries.  I  did  not  tarry 
long,  but,  after  a  hasty  dinner  from  the  good  lady,  I 
sped  away  over  Powell  mountain,  and  landed  all 
right  in  the  dusk  of  that  evening  at  Peter  Duf- 
fey's,  where  myself  and  horse  were  well  cared  for. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Loss  OF  Government  Property  on  the  Courier  Line — Testing  the 
Courage  of  a  new  Courier — His  Satisfactory  Trial — Thieving 
Guerillas — A  CoLD-r;LOODED  Murder — Arrest  of  the  Perpe- 
trators— Their  Trial  and  Punishment — First  Glimpse  of  Gen- 
eral Crook. 

During  the  seven  months  that  I  was  in  charge 
of  the  express  Hne  very  Httle  government  prop- 
erty in  that  service  was  lost.  Personally,  I  did 
not  lose  a  dollar's  worth,  although  there  was  a 
sharper  lookout  kept  for  me  than  for  any  of  the 
couriers.  Of  these  latter,  a  few  who  sustained 
repeated  losses  were  plainly  given  to  understand 
that  their  continuance  in  the  government's  service 
would  depend,  in  a  great  measure,  upon  the  care 
taken  of  the  property  submitted  to  their  charge. 

On  my  second  inspection  trip  I  took  with  me 
two  couriers  and  two  horses  required  for  the 
western  end  of  the  line.  The  horses  were  to  be 
exchanged  for  such  as  were  used  up  from  sore 
backs  and  ill  treatment,  and  their  riders  were  to 
replace  the  men  who  so  abused  and  neglected  the 
other  animals.  The  couriers,  two  young  Irishmen, 
•were  named,  respectively,  Patrick  Power  and  Pat- 
rick McManus.     They  were  heavier  than  I  should 

have  wished  for  the  purpose,  but  being  brave  and 
(80) 


* 


TESTING    NEW    MEN.  8 1 

reliable,  they  proved  more  serviceable  than  would 
lighter  weights  not  possessing  these  qualities. 

Although,  as  yet,  I  had  no  proper  test  of  it,  I 
did  not  doubt  my  judgment  in  selecting  these  men 
for  their  pluck  and  intelligence.  Before  they 
reached  their  appointed  stations,  however,  one  of 
them  underwent  a  satisfactory  trial. 

When  nearing  the  eastern  base  of  Powell  moun- 
tain, the  dusk  of  eveninor  was  closino-  in  on  us  and 
a  soft,  fleecy  snow  had  commenced  falling  thick  and 
fast,  increasing  the  intensity  of  the  gathering 
darkness.  Travelling  over  this  dreary  and  soli- 
tary mountain,  never  pleasant,  was  now  doubly 
lonesome,  because  of  the  blinding  snow-storm, 
which  made  our  effort  to  keep  the  trail  extremely 
difficult,  and  further,  on  account  of  the  uncomfort- 
able knowledge  of  the  immediate  presence  of 
besetting  perils  in  the  shape  of  murderous  gue- 
rillas. 

Power  had  occasion  to  stop  and  dismount,  while 
McManus  and  myself  rode  leisurely  ahead.  Soon 
after  Power  came  cantering  up,  but  missing  his 
belt,  containing  his  navy  revolvers,  he  returned  to 
find  them.  While  he  was  eone  we  came  in  sio-ht 
of  a  small  log-house  standing  close  to  the  road. 
It  was  the  only  one  for  miles  around,  and  was 
owned  by  a  loyal  man  named  Boggs,  who  had  to 
leave  both  house  and  farm,  because  of  the  con- 
stant warfare  made  upon  him  by  the  guerillas,  who 
thickly  infested  this  section.     I  told  my  companion 


82  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

to  keep  about  eight  or  ten  paces  In  my  rear,  and 
to  move  as  fast  as  I  did  until  we  had  safely  passed 
the  house,  which,  although  deserted  by  its  owner, 
was  known  as  a  rendezvous  for  small  parties  of 
bushwhackers. 

i\.t  the  very  time  that  we  were  hurrying  past 
the  place,  these  robbers  and  murderers,  whose 
eyes  were  as  sharp  as  the  nocturnal  prowlers  of 
the  mountain  forest,  had  drawn  bead  on  us,  and 
were  only  prevented  from  shooting  us  by  one  of 
their  number,  Clinton  Duffel,  who,  as  we  subse- 
quently learned,  told  them  that  they  might  safely 
secure  our  horses  and  other  property  that  night 
at  our  intended  stopping-place,  a  short  distance 
ahead,  without  the  trouble  of  killing  us.  To  do 
Duffel  justice,  it  is  but  fair  to  state  that  he  pre- 
ferred to  secure  his  share  of  Uncle  Sam's  property 
without  killing  anybody. 

Arrived  at  the  base  of  the  opposite  side  of  the 
mountain,  we  turned  to  the  left  and  entered  a  val- 
ley of  some  extent,  at  the  entrance  of  which  was  a 
scattered  settlement  known  as  Hookervllle.  Here 
"  Mac"  and  myself  halted  and  awaited  the  approach 
of  Power,  who  had  not  yet  rejoined  us.  Owing 
to  the  lateness  of  the  night  and  the  heavy  falling 
snow,  we  could  see  only  a  few  feet  In  our  front. 
So  we  waited  a  short  distance  from  the  path,  de- 
termined to  surprise  and  possibly  frighten  the  new 
courier.  Shortly  the  portly  Power  came  unhur- 
riedly down  the  hill,  and  when  he  was  directly 


A    FORTUNATE    CHANGE.  83 

opposite  to  where  we  stood  concealed,  In  a  coun- 
terfeit voice  I  cried  out  sternly,  "  Halt ! "  Without 
drawing  rein  for  a  moment,  the  brave  fellow 
answered  in  a  clear,  strong  voice,  "All  right,"  and 
at  the  same  moment  his  revolver  came  on  a  line 
with  our  heads  and  we  gladly  called  a  truce. 

This  incident,  together  with  the  nerve  he  dis- 
played on  other  occasions  while  on  the  line,  had 
no  small  influence  in  securing  his  promotion  in 
my  company  afterwards. 

The  night  was  growing  darker  and  travelling 
was  every  moment  becoming  more  difficult,  as  we 
were  compelled  to  ride  slowly  in  order  to  avoid 
pitching  Into  the  numerous  holes  and  pitfalls  lying 
concealed  beneath  the  freshly  fallen  snow.  In 
about  an  hour  after  leavlno-  the  mountain  we 
arrived  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Craig,  which  was  our 
next  station.  The  local  courier,  Carruthers,  met 
us  at  the  gate.  He  requested  me  to  remove  his 
station  a  half  mile  farther  west,  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Peter  Duffey,  where  he  said  he  could  obtain 
better  accommodations.  He  had  already  talked 
with  the  Duffeys  on  the  subject  and  they  were 
satisfied.  I  ag^reed  to  do  as  he  reauested  and 
decided  to  make  the  chancre  at  once.  Mrs.  Duf- 
ftn^  a  kindly  and  much  esteemed  middle-aged 
lad)^  English  by  birth  and  education,  and  Courier 
Carruthers,  a  thorough  "Jolm  Bull,"  were  de^ 
lighted  at  my  conceding  to  the  latter's  wishes  so 
readily. 


84  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

It  turned  out  to  be  a  very  lucky  move  for  all 
concerned.  On  this  very  night  we  had  four  valu- 
able horses,  including  my  gray,  at  Mr.  Duffey's — 
a  prize  not  likely  to  be  overlooked  by  the  hungry 
bushwhackers.  Carruthers,  while  stationed  at 
Craig's,  had  been  robbed  twice  previously  to  this 
time,  his  station  being  in  about  the  worst  place  on 
the  whole  line  for  that  sort  of  thing.  Bearing 
these  latter  facts  in  mind,  I  determined  to  keep 
w^atch  upon  our  animals,  a  precaution  I  had  often 
taken  before,  and  often  took  afterwards,  when  I 
chanced  to  be  in  a  questionable  locality. 

The  stable  was  situated  about  one  hundred  yards 
from  the  dwelling-house  and  at  the  foot  of  a  small 
hill,  whither  we  repaired,  after  having  done  justice 
to  a  hearty  supper,  and  gave  the  horses  a  thorough 
cleaninof  and  rubbinof  down ;  after  which  I  exam- 
ined  the  stable  and  its  surroundings  carefully  and 
found  it  fairly  satisfactory  as  a  defensive  position 
in  case  of  attack.  The  building  was  a  barn  and 
stable  combined,  of  goodly  dimensions,  constructed 
of  large,  hewn  logs,  the  interstices  of  which  would 
serve  admirably  for  port  holes.  We  returned  to 
the  house  and  passed  a  pleasant  evening  until 
about  eleven  o^clock,  when  we  again  went  to  the 
barn  and,  disposing  of  ourselves  under  the  hay 
and  corn-fodder,  awaited  the  arrival  of  thieves. 

We  were  so  placed  that  we  could  all  command 
a  ranore  of  the  entrance  to  the  barn.  I  cautioned 
tlie  men  to  remain  about  ten  or  twelve  feet  apart, 


MURDERERS    ARRESTED.  85 

SO  as  to  divert  the  fire  of  the  bushwhackers,  and 
to  waste  no  ammunition,  but  to  make  every  shot 
tell.  Our  weapons  were  Colt's  navy  revolvers, 
with  ten  rounds  of  cartridges  to  each  man.  We 
kept  to  our  posts  until  morning,  but  were  hap- 
pily not  disturbed.  By  mere  chance  we  missed 
an  encounter  with  horse-thieves  that  night,  as  we 
learned  afterwards.  A  party  of  ten  or  twelve 
men  had  broken  Into  Mr.  Craig's  stable  in  the 
expectation  of  finding  our  horses  there;  but  the 
change  effected  by  Carruthers'  request  had  averted 
the  trouble,  and  no  doubt  saved  to  Uncle  Sam  the 
four  animals  they  sought. 

Some  time  later,  in  November  of  the  same  year, 
I  found  on  reaching  Sutton,  going  west,  a  part  of 
Captain  Rowand's  command.  Company  C,  ist 
West  Virginia  Cavalry,  quartered  In  the  town. 
This  squad  had  just  succeeded  in  bringing  into 
camp  four  prisoners:  John  Cole,  his  w^Ife  and  son, 
and  Samuel  W.Windom,  all  of  whom  were  charged 
with  murder.  The  wife  and  mother,  a  hardened 
old  wretch,  and  her  son  subsequently  escaped  with 
very  light  punishment,  by  giving  evidence  against 
the  two  others  that  resulted  In  their  execution. 

Cole  appeared  to  be  about  fifty,  and  Windom 
about  forty  years  of  age.  The  older  man  was 
well  known  in  the  locality  as  a  grafter  of  fruit 
trees.  In  appearance  he  would  pass  for  anything 
but  an  Adonis.  Windom  was  a  heavy-set  man, 
with  a  large  head,  heavy  eyebrows  and  coarse, 


S6  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

bushy  whiskers  that  almost  completely  covered 
his  face.  The  pair  looked  fully  capable  of  com- 
mitting the  awful  crime  with  which  they  were 
charged,  and  of  which  they  were  afterwards  clearly 
proven  to  be  guilty. 

Their  crime  was  the  murdering  in  cold  blood 
of  a  private  soldier  of  the  36th  Ohio  Infantry 
Volunteers.  He  was  a  young  lad,  not  over  nine> 
teen  years  old,  who  had  foolishly  straggled  from 
his  command,  alone  and  without  arms.  In  this 
way  he  had  visited  Cole's  house,  a  few  miles  from 
town.  He  talked  to  Mrs.  Cole  and  her  son  for  a 
while,  and  got  a  drink  of  milk  from  the  former ; 
he  then  went  to  the  meadow  and  stopped  for  some 
time,  boy-like,  looking  at  the  two  men,  who  were 
mowing. 

In  the  meantime  Mrs.  Cole  called  to  her  hus- 
band, who  laid  dowm  his  scythe  and  went  to  her. 
She  said  to  him  :  "  What  are  you  going  to  do  with 
that  Yankee  spy?"  On  his  not  appearing  to 
understand  her  meaning,  she  told  him  plainly  that 
he  ought  to  kill  the  soldier.  Cole  thereupon  re- 
turned to  where  his  partner  was  and  held  a  private 
conversation  with  him,  divulging  his  fiendish 
intentions  towards  the  innocent  lad,  to  all  of  which 
Windom  readily  agreed.  All  of  this  time  the 
poor  "  boy  in  blue  "  had  not  the  remotest  idea  that 
final  judgment  had  been  passed  upon  him  }  but  he 
was  soon  awakened  to  a  realization  of  his  danger 
by  Cole  approaching  and  coolly  telling  him  that 


HEARTLESS   BRUTALITY.  87 

they  were  going  to  kill  him,  and  asking  him  what 
he  had  to  say.  To  this  heartless  announcement 
the  frightened  lad  made  no  response,  but  ran  away 
as  fast  as  his  legs  could  carry  him.  WIndom, 
being  a  powerful  and  active  man,  pursued  and 
shortly  overtook  and  brought  back  the  scared  and 
dejected  captive  to  where  old  man  Cole  was  await- 
ing them.  WIndom  held  the  boy  in  a  firm  grip, 
while  his  companion  deliberately  unfastened  his 
scythe-blade  from  the  snead,  and  with  one  mighty 
cut  of  that  sharp  instrument  severed  the  head 
from  the  body  of  the  unfortunate  soldier.  They 
then  covered  the  headless  trunk  with  a  pile  of 
brush  and  stones. 

Next  morning,  after  seeing  the  prisoners,  I 
resumed  my  journey  towards  Gauley  Bridge. 

On  my  return  a  couple  of  days  later,  when 
about  eight  miles  east  of  Gauley,  I  came  to  a 
creek  that  crossed  the  road  and  emptied  into 
Gauley  river,  which  at  this  point  flowed  parallel 
with  the  pike  for  some  distance.  The  creek  was 
near  the  farm  of  Mr.  M.  F.  Morris,  and  was  then 
much  swollen,  very  turbulent  and  overflowing  Its 
banks  from  the  recent  heavy  rains. 

About  the  time  I  reached  this  stream  General 
Crook,  then  Colonel  of  the  36th  Ohlg  ^^^^^peared 
on  the  other  bank,  accompanied  by  a  mounted 
escort.  It  looked  foolhardy  to  attempt  to  swim 
the  horses  across  the  rapid  current,  especially  so 
when,  as  now  appeared  to  be  the  case,  the  animals 


88  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

were  not  adequate  to  the  undertaking.  The  col- 
onel, after  surveying  the  situation  for  a  few  min- 
utes, wisely  took  up  the  left  bank  of  the  stream  for 
some  distance,  until  he  found  a  more  favorable 
place  for  making  the  effort. 

It  would  certainly  be  the  height  of  arrogance 
in  me  to  lay  claim  to  anything  like  the  intrepidity 
of  the  noble  Crook,  but  on  this  occasion  I  had  a 
long-legged  horse,  whose  qualities  as  a  swimmer 
I  had  previously  tested,  so  we  took  the  stream, 
heading  up  the  current  for  about  ten  yards,  and 
after  a  severe  struggle  luckily  made  the  riffle ; 
but  we  had  such  a  narrow  escape  from  being 
swept  Into  the  river,  that  I  would  have  been  very 
loath  to  try  It  again. 

Crook  was,  at  this  time,  on  his  way  to  Charles- 
ton, on  the  Big  Kanawha,  where,  as  president  of 
the  oreneral  court  martial  which  later  convened  at 
that  place,  he  tried — among  other  cases — that  of 
the  murderers  referred  to  In  the  preceding  para- 
graph. I  chanced  to  be  at  Sutton  on  the  day  that 
Cole  and  Windom  were  executed.  They  showed 
considerable  nerve  during  the  trying  ordeal.  Both 
confessed  to  the  commission  of  the  crime  substan- 
tially as  I  have  told  the  reader,  and  their  act  of 
cruelty  illustrated  the  antipathy  many  residents  of 
that-  section  then  felt  to  all  representatives  of  the 
government,  and  the  utter  lack  of  conscientious- 
ness among  these  evil-doers. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Repairing  the  Telegraph — Preparing  for  a  Night  Surprise— 
Another  Anticipated  Night  Attack — Names  of  the  Stations 
ON  the  Express  Line — Attitude  of  the  Farmers  along  the 
Route — Their  Kindness  to  Couriers  Poorly  Recompensed — 
My  Feelings  on  the  Subject — Efforts  to  Secure  a  Settlement 
OF  their  Claims — The  Poor  Result — Discontinuance  of  the 
Courier  Line. 

Ten  days  after  this  unpleasant  occurrence  at 
Sutton,  when  going  east  on  a  tour  of  inspection, 
I  rested  at  Sommerville,  then  the  headquarters 
of  General  Crook.  I  called  at  the  telegraph 
office,  as  was  my  usual  custom,  and  the  operator, 
a  young,  smart  and  brave  little  fellow,  named 
Smith,  told  me  that  all  connection  east  by  wire 
was  cut  off;  that  the  line  was  broken  and  destroyed 
in  several  places  ;  that  he  was  going  to  get  a  team 
and  a  detail  of  men  from  the  commanding  officer 
and  start  the  following  day  to  rebuild  the  destroyed 
portion ;  and  concluded  by  requesting  that,  as  I 
was  going  in  that  direction,  I  should  remain  and 
accompany  his  party. 

I  replied  that  If  I  could  be  of  any  use  I  would 
willingly  do  so.  Early  next  morning  the  team, 
with  colls  of  wire,  tools,  rations,  etc.,  was  In  readi- 
ness. The  detail,  consisting  of  six  men  and  a 
sergeant,  together  with  the  operator,  lineman  and 

(89) 


90  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

teamster,  eleven  In  all,  made  a  quite  harmonious, 
though  somewhat  heterogeneous,  crowd  of  Ameri- 
cans, Dutch  and  Irish. . 

It  was  night  when  we  reached  William  Frame's 
house  at  Big  Birch  river,  after  passing  over  four- 
teen miles  of  the  line  and  doing  a  surprising 
amount  of  work.  The  wire  had  been  most  In- 
jured near  where  we  halted  for  the  night;  in  fact, 
it  was  one  of  the  worst  places  for  the  enemy's 
cavalry  raids  on  the  whole  route.  For  such  a 
small  party  we  had  considerable  government  prop- 
erty with  us,  enough  at  least  to  make  it  worth  an 
effort  on  the  part  of  one  of  these  hungry  bands  to 
raid  us  during  the  night.  Sure  enough,  we  received 
information  from  a  friendly  source  that  we  were 
to  be  swooped  down  upon  that  night  by  a  party 
of  rebel  guerillas  and  our  property  carried  off. 

We  held  a  consultation  to  devise  means  to  pro- 
tect ourselves  and  avert  the  threatened  loss. 
Entirely  unsolicited,  I  was  requested  by  the  boys 
to  assume  command  of  the  little  party  during  the 
night.  I  modestly  accepted  the  responsibility, 
and  when  the  time  came  I  disposed  of  the  mem- 
bers of  our  party  as,  in  my  opinion,  best  suited 
our  purposes.  I  placed  a  man  at  each  of  the 
three  most  important  approaches  to  our  camp, 
and  arranged  for  their  relief  two  hours  later  by 
three  fresh  pickets,  and  so  on  until  nine  of  our  party 
should  have  performed  guard  duty,  by  this  method 
giving  each  of  them  two  hours  on  and  four  hours 
off  duty. 


CONSTERNATION    IN    THE    CAMP.  9 1 

The  sergeant's  duty  was  to  relieve  the  guards 
at  the  proper  time ;  the  operator  we  held  in 
reserve.  The  sergeant  and  myself  did  not  sleep 
any  during  the  night,  but  continued  to  visit  the 
pickets  occasionally  during  the  long  hours  until 
morning.  Once  or  twice  the  dogs  raised  a  howl, 
alarmed  at  some  unusual  noises  not  far  distant, 
but  we  were  not  disturbed.  Our  intended  visi- 
tors may  have  received  word  that  we  were  rea- 
sonably well  prepared  for  them,  and  decided,  no 
doubt,  to  defer  their  contemplated  attack  for  a 
more  favorable  opportunity. 

After  breakfast  next  morning  I  took  leave  of 
my  late  comrades-in-arms,  and  about  noon  ar- 
rived at  Sutton,  the  central  station  on  the  line. 
This  place  was  a  small  village  before  the  war,  but 
at  the  time  of  which  I  write  it  had  grown  still 
smaller  by  reason  of  the  frequent  raids  its  inhabi- 
tants were  subjected  to.  A  result  of  one  of  these 
depredatory  visits  was  the  burning  of  about  half 
of  the  houses  in  the  town. 

When  I  arrived  I  found  about  one-half  of  Com- 
pany C,  1st  West  Virginia  Cavalry,  quartered 
in  the  village.  The  officer  in  command  had  just 
received  information  that  a  force  of  rebels,  more 
than  twice  his  number,  were  going  to  assault  him 
that  very  night.  The  result  of  this  announcement 
was  considerable  excitement  among  the  troops,  a 
majority  of  whom  were  in  favor  of  falling  back  to 
their  regimental  headquarters  at  Weston.     I  was 


92  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

made  aware  of  the  situation,  and  was  asked  what 
I  thought  of  it.  By  this  time  I  had  become  pretty 
well  accustomed  to  the  numerous  raids  that  were 
always  about  to,  but  rarely  did,  occur ;  and  so  I 
replied  that  I  intended  to  go  to  Weston  in  the 
morning,  and  would  have  to  see,  or  feel,  the 
enemy  before  starting  the  other  way. 

The  troops  finally  concluded  to  adopt  my  course, 
and  remain  where  they  were.  A  guard  was  kept 
up  during  the  entire  night,  however,  and  I  volun- 
teered to  assist  in  the  duty.  In  addition  to  my 
two  '*  Navies,"  I  was  provided  with  an  old  sabre, 
but  of  course  had  no  occasion  to  use  it.  In  the 
morning  I  laid  down  my  bloodless  sword  and  hied 
me  away  to  Weston. 

There  were  sixteen  stations  on  the  line,  as  fol- 
lows : 

Miles  Distance  front 
Clarksburg. 

Basil's 7 

Janelew 15 

Weslon 22.5 

Crowell's 30 

Jacksonville 38 

Bulltown f 46 

McNemer's 55 

Sutton 63 

Little  Birch 71 

Big  Birch 80 

Dufifey's 90 

Sommerville 98 

Brown's 106 

Gross'    114 

Morris' 123 

Gauley  Bridge 133 


UNPAID    CLAIMS.  93 

The  fkrmers  along  this  rovite  were  in  the  best 
of  times  poor  in  circumstances;  but  at  this  time 
they  were  badly  stripped  by  both  armies.  Not- 
withstanding this  fact,  they  cheerfully  made  the 
greatest  efforts  to  feed  and  house  our  men  and 
horses.  Neither  the  commissary  nor  quarter- 
master's supplies  could  be  furnished  at  most  of 
these  places,  even  at  a  cost  three  or  four  times 
greater  than  these  people  charged ;  their  usual 
price  being  only  twelve  and  a  half  cents  per  meal. 

For  seven  months  these  farmers  bore  the  bur- 
den of  the  maintenance  of  this  line,  receiving 
therefor  during  all  this  time  but  two  months'  pay. 
I  told  these  people  at  the  time  that  the  United 
States  Government  would  surely  pay  them.  They 
seemed  to  repose  confidence  in  me,  but  probably 
had  more  in  the  government  whose  humble  ser- 
vant I  was.  I  am  sorry  to  state  that,  after  the 
lapse  of  nearly  twenty-seven  years,  our  Govern- 
ment has  not  yet  paid  this  debt. 

I  have  always  thought  that  there  rested  on  me 
a  moral  obligation  to  try  to  have  these  poor  and 
honest  people  paid  a  debt  of  such  evident  just- 
ness. With  this  end  in  view,  immediately  upon 
the  discontinuance  of  the  line,  which  was  at  my 
suggestion,  I  went  over  the  route  and  secured 
from  the  farmers  itemized  statements  of  their 
claims  for  board  and  foraoe,  and  returninof  to 
Clarksburg  presented  them  to  Captain  Hunting- 
ton, a  newly  appointed  assistant-quartermaster. 


94  TiiE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

This  gentleman  was  a  great  stickler  for  "  red 
tape."  He  was  very  pompous  in  his  manner, 
and  evidently  had  a  full  appreciation  of  his  own 
importance.  He  ignored  the  claims,  and  refused, 
in  addidon,  to  pay  me  two  weeks'  salary  then  due. 
Being  now  anxious  to  get  into  active  service  in 
the  field,  I  dropped  all  consideration  of  these 
claims,  and  proceeded  to  organize  a  company  of 
infantry,  which  I  did  in  eight  days. 

After  the  war  I  removed  with  my  family  from 
the  locality  of  the  line,  and  later  from  the  State, 
and  for  a  long  time  I  did  not  have  the  means  or 
the  encouragement  to  make  another  effort  in  this 
direction  ;  but  in  March,  1877,  I  became  troubled 
with  the  idea  that  these  people  generally  might 
be  impressed  with  the  belief  that  I  had  made  per- 
sonal use  of  their  claims.  The  possibility  of  such 
an  imputation  so  weighed  upon  me  that  I  started 
from  Allegheny  City,  Pa.,  a  distance  of  over  four 
hundred  miles,  went  over  the  old  line,  and  made 
a  personal  visit  to  all  of  the  claimants,  or  their 
heirs,  and  found  that  my  suspicions  had  a  basis 
in  fact,  at  least  with  a  majority  of  them. 

From  these  claimants  I  procured  a  new  set  of 
claims  duly  signed  and  sealed  by  the  clerks  of  the 
different  county  courts,  with  certificates  attached. 
These  I  took  to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  placed  in 
the  hands  of  a  claim  agent,  to  whom  I  agreed  to 
give  ten  per  cent,  of  the  amounts  for  his  assist- 
ance in  adjusting  and  securing  their  payment. 


THIRTY    DOLLARS    ONLY.  95 

After  sending  out  three  sets  of  papers,  at  three 
different  periods,  each  time  causing  the  claimants 
the  trouble  and  expense  of  preparing  revised 
claims,  paying  clerk  fees,  etc.,  and  expending 
quite  a  sum  personally,  I  have  secured  as  a  result 
the  munificent  sum  of  thirty  dollars  as  a  partial 
payment  of  these  claims. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Commissioned  Lieutenant  of  Volunteers  by  Governor  Pierpont 
— Raising  a  Company  of  Infantry — Arrival  at  Wheeling — 
Mustered  in  as  Company  B,  15TH  Regiment  West  Virginia 
Volunteers — Commissioned  Captain — Ordered  to  New  Creek 
— On  Duty  at  "  Knobbley  Mountain  "—  First  and  Last  Occa- 
sion for  Reproving  my  Men — An  Irreparable  Injury. 

After  trying  without  success  to  adjust  the 
business  of  the  express  line,  I  returned  home,  and 
soon  after  received  from  Governor  Pierpont  a 
lieutenant's  commission  in  the  volunteei*"  service 
of  the  State.  I  made  no  application  for  this 
honor,  and  up  to  the  present  time  I  am  unaware 
of  how  It  was  procured.  The  commission  em- 
powered me  to  enlist  men  for  the  volunteer  ser- 
vice for  three  years,  or  during  the  war. 

Within  eight  days  after  the  receipt  of  this  doc- 
ument I  had  enlisted  a  first-class  company,  seven- 
teen of  whom  were  six  feet  high  or  upwards ;  six 
were  six  feet  two  inches,  and  one,  Daniel  Arbo- 
gast,  was  six  feet  five  and  one-half  inches  in 
height.  This  was  not  such  a  bad  showing,  con- 
sidering the  previous  drain  of  volunteers  from 
our^'sparsely  settled  border  county. 

During  the  months  that  I  was  engaged  on  the 
express  line  efforts  had  been  made  at  forming 
(96) 


DRILLING    RAW    RECRUIiS.  97 

two  Other  companies  in  Lewis  county,  but  the  re- 
cruits finally  had  to  join  forces  in  order  to  make 
one  company,  and  even  then  they  fell  one  short 
of  the  minimum  number  of  men  required.  A 
week  after  we  had  been  mustered  in  we  o-ave 
them  a  man  to  enable  them  to  complete  their  or- 
ganization. His  name  was  Benton  Flesher,  and 
the  poor  fellow,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  was  after- 
wards killed  in  action  at  Berryville,  Va. 

We  arrived  at  Wheeling  Island  in  September, 
1862,  and  were  mustered  in  as  Company  B,  15th 
Regiment  West  Virginia  Volunteers,  and  I  was 
commissioned  captain  in  command.  During  the 
time  we  were  stationed  at  Wheelincr  learnincr  to 
be  soldiers,  there  were  besides  our  own  two  other 
good  regiments,  the  12th  and  14th,  drilling  on  the 
island. 

The  officers  in  command  of  these  two  regi- 
ments at  the  first  were  soon  lost  sight  of.  One 
was  a  lawyer,  who  afterwards  became  a  judge,  but 
he  could  not  learn  soldiery,  and  had  to  return 
home,  where  he  resumed  the  practice  of  his  more 
congenial  and  less  hazardous  profession. 

The  weather  was  fine  during  our  stay  at 
Wheeling,  and  we  had  a  pleasant  time  drilling 
and  otherwise  preparing  for  active  service.  Our 
boys  seemed  proud  of  their  new  uniforms,  espe- 
cially those  fortunate  enough  to  sport  straps  on 
their  shoulders,  or  the  official  '*  V "  upon  their 
sleeves.     Patriotic   ladies   visited   us    frequently 


98  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

and  cheered  the  boys  by  words  and  smiles,  and 
ofttunes  with  more  substantial  presents  of  invit- 
,  ing  delicacies  for  their  mess.  Thus  were  we 
urged  forward  on  our  path  of  duty  by  many  kind 
acts  and  endearing  expressions. 

On  October  i8th,  1862,  our  regiment  (Com- 
panies G  and  K  not  yet  having  been  mustered 
in)  left  Wheeling  Island  under  orders  to  go  to 
New  Creek,  Va.,  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad,  where  we  arrived  safely  the  following 
day.  We  found,  on  reaching  that  point,  the 
beautiful  valley  of  New  Creek  dotted  for  a  great 
distance  on  both  sides  of  the  railroad  track  with 
handsome  new  white  tents,  erected  and  occupied 
by  the  twenty-seven  thousand  troops  under  the 
command  of  Generals  Milroy  and  Kelley,  then 
stationed  there  to  protect  the  railroad  and  guard 
the  highway  running  east  and  west  throughout 
*the  length  of  the  valley. 

One  of  the  most  important  and  easily  accessi- 
ble approaches  to  this  encampment  was  a  road 
crossing  the  valley  at  right  angles,  and  extending 
to  the  southwest  and  far  into  the  Confederacy. 
This  road  skirted  "  Knobbley  Mountain,"  one  of 
the  Allegheny  range,  but  standing  out  from  its 
companions  solitary  and  alone,  and  lying  about 
three  miles  south  of  our  camp.  From  this  point 
a  vidette  could  command  for  a  great  distance 
a  good  view  of  the  meanderings  of  the  pike,  as 
k  wound  around  the  base  of  the  eminence.     To 


HOLDING    AN    OUTPOST.  99 

guard  this  approach  was  a  post  of  considerable 
danger,  and  one  requiring  the  exercise  of  con- 
stant vigilance  to  prevent  a  surprise  from  rebel 
f  raiders  who  frequently  came  up  from  the  south 
/over  this  route  on  predatory  excursions. 

When  our  company  had  been  at  New  Creek 
for  probably  a  week,  we  were  sent  on  detached 
duty  to  this  mountain.  The  singling  out  of  our 
company  for  this  important  outpost  was  looked 
upon  by  all  as  an  especial  honor,  and  one  which 
we,  as  raw  recruits,  fully  appreciated.  There  was, 
in  addition  to  Company  B,  a  section  of  Colonel 
Mulligan's  Battery  already  stationed  at  *'  Knob- 
bley,"  and  I  was  placed  in  temporary  command  of 
both  companies.  We  pitched  our  tents  and 
formed  a  camp  upon  the  farm  of  Mrs.  Trush,  a 
widow  lady  who  had  two  of  her  three  sons  in  the 
Confederate  service. 

Shortly  after  our  arrival  the  boys  proceeded 
to  gather  fuel  for  their  camp-fires,  and  instead  of 
going  Into  the  adjacent  woods  for  this  purpose, 
they  commenced  demolishing  the  rail  fences  run- 
ning along  both  sides  of  the  road,  and  belonging 
to  the  widow  just  mentioned.  As  this  was  being 
done,  I  returned  from  a  cursory  observation  of 
our  surroundings,  and  discovering  the  wanton 
destruction  in  progress,  I  immediately  ordered  it 
stopped. 

The  remarks  I  made  to  the  men  on  this  oc- 
casion were,  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  about  as 


lOO  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED   YANK. 

follows :  "  This  Is  the  first  time  I  have  had  oc- 
casion to  reprove  you  since  your  enlistment,  and 
no  one,  I  assure  you,  would  feel  happier  at  the 
absence  of  cause  for  so  doing  than  myself  It  is 
true  that  the  offence  appears  trivial  in  itself; 
but  experience  has  shown  that  small  infractions 
of  discipline,  if  allowed  to  go  unpunished,  may, 
and  generally  do,  lead  to  more  serious  ones. 

"  Knowing  the  sterling  material  of  which  this 
company  is  composed,  I  anticipate  but  little  dif- 
ficulty in  securing  your  hearty  co-operation  in  my 
efforts  to  inculcate  and  pursue  an  honest,  honor- 
able and  soldier-like  course  In  my  command 
during  our  term  of  service,  be  It  long  or  short. 
By  such  a  line  of  conduct  we  are  not  only  com- 
plying with  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  army 
but  also  of  a  higher  power,  from  whom  all  other 
powers  derive  their  existence.  In  this  connection 
I  venture  to  suggest,  that  it  behooves  a  soldier  In 
active  service,  more  than  any  one  else,  to  be 
prepared  at  any  moment  to  render  an  account  of 
his  stewardship  to  the  Supreme  Commander. 

"  I  know  that  you  did  not  reflect  that  In  de- 
stroying these  fences  you  were  committing  a 
depredation  upon  a  helpless  widow.  She  is,  I 
learn,  very  nervous  and  much  excited  at  the 
arrival  of  fresh  troops  upon  her  land,  fearing 
from  them  more  trouble  than  she  experienced 
from  their  predecessors. 

"  You  may  have  heard  that  one  or  two  of  her 


CORRECTING    ABUSES.  ICT 

sons  have  gone  to  the  rebel  army,  but  this  fact 
does  not,  In  my  opinion,  mitigate  our  offence.  It 
is  nobler  to  forbear  through  mercy  than  to  desist 
from  fear  of  certain  punishment.  You  have  an 
abundant  supply  of  firewood  about  as  near 
your  camp  as  Is  the  fence.  You  have  axes  and 
you  know  how  to  use  them,  so  you  can  have  good 
fires  without  destroying  anybody's  property  for 
fuel. 

"  In  conclusion  I  would  suggest  that  If  the  old 
lady  has  milk  or  fruit  to  sell,  and  you  want 
either,  pay  for  it  like  men.  If  k  were  my  last 
cent,  I  would  much  rather  contribute  it  to  this 
purpose  than  that  we  should  bear  the  stigma  of 
tlneves.'* 

Never  after  this  had  I  any  occasion  to  reprove 
any  of  th^  men  for  trespass.  They  cheerfully 
replaced  the  rails  they  had  displaced,  and  soon 
had  the  fence  in  good  shape  again.  Mrs.  Trush 
secured  a  good  and  ready  market  for  her  milk, 
butter,  and  fruit;  and  was  more  sorry  at  our 
departure,  I  am  glad  to  say,  than  she  was  at  our 
arrival. 

Some  time  later  in  the  day,  as  I  was  making  a 
more  careful  Inspection  of  our  encampment,  I 
noticed  six  very  fat  artillery  horses  belonging  to 
the  section  of  battery  of  which  I  was,  for  the  time 
being,  in  command,  standing  in  a  field  of  growing 
corn.  The  horses  were  loose  and  at  a  consider- 
able  distance   from    the  camp,  where   of  course 


102  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

they  should  have  been  kept.  This  latter  fact  h 
what  concerned  me  most,  and  I  ordered  the 
lieutenant  to  have  the  animals  taken  at  once  to 
their  sheds,  which  were  close  to  their  riders' 
"  quarters." 

After  this  had  been  done  I  learned  that  the 
standing  corn  in  the  field  where  the  animals  were 
surfeiting  themselves  had  not  been  husked.  The 
owner  of  the  grain  was  a  son  of  Mrs.  Trush,  the 
widow  just  mentioned.  He  was  at  this  time  con- 
fined to  his  bed.  suffering  from  awhite  swelling,  and 
was  unable  to  husk  and  crib  his  corn.  The  follow- 
ing morning,  after  parade,  I  took  occasion  to 
somewhat  severely  censure  this  portion  of  my 
command  for  permitting  their  horses  to  wander 
about,  and  especially  for  allowing  them  to  con- 
sume and  destroy  a  sick  man's  property.  I 
reminded  them,  in  the  course  of  my  remarks,  that 
if  Colonel  Mullio^an  was  made  aware  of  the  cir- 
cumstances  there  was  no  one  in  the  entire  army 
%/ho  would  feel  more  indignant  at  such  conduct, 
but  that  I  hoped  it  would  not  be  necessary  to 
trouble  him  with  any  such  news. 

I  was  pleased  to  see  soon  after  substantial  evi- 
dence of  the  good  effect  my  Words  had  upon  the 
boys.  This  appeared  in  their  voluntarily  turning 
out  and  going  into  the  field  of  growing  corn, 
infantry  and  artillerymen  together,  and  indulging 
in  an  old-time  husking  frolic.  They  not  only 
husked  the  corn,  but  took  it  to  the  cribs  and  stored 


UNFORTUNATE    ACCIDENT.  IO3 

it  safely  away.  This  action  on  the  men's  part 
gave  me  more  satisfaction  than  I  had  experienced 
from  any  cause  of  a  mihtary  sort  for  a  long 
time. 

After  a  stay  of  twenty-six  days — until  Novem- 
ber 19th — at  Knobbley  Mountain,  we  returned  to 
New  Creek,  where  we  remained  until  December 
2 2d.  During  our  stay  of  over  a  month  at  New 
Creek  we  got  the  first  real  taste  of  the  severity 
of  camp  life,  owing  to  the  rigorous  inclemency  of 
the  weather.  It  was  about  this  time,  when  at  the 
commissariat  department  at  New  Creek  station, 
that  I  received  an  irreparable  injury  while  leaving 
the  freight  depot  one  evening. 

I  had  just  purchased  some  things  from  the 
assistant  commissary,  Mr.  Peter  Bryson.  The 
night  was  dark,  and,  when  leaving,  I  started  to 
step  from  the  platform  to  the  track,  which  was 
some  three  feet  lower,  but  my  feet  went  through 
a  "  cattle-stop "  in  the  road-bed  and,  falling  for- 
ward, my  breast  came  violently  in  contact  with  one 
of  the  rails.  The  force  of  the  blow  threw  me 
heavily  back  against  the  other  rail  and  I  fainted 
away.  I  was  picked  up,  borne  into  the  office  of 
the  commissary,  and  placed  in  a  chair.  For  two 
weeks  following  I  was  under  the  treatment  of  Dr. 
Oliver,  a  United  States  army  surgeon  :  a  rupture 
resulting  from  this  accident,  from  which  I  have 
never  recovered. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Ordered  to  Back  Creek — Arrival  and  Encampment  There- 
Poltroonery  OF  THE  Recruits  Previously  Stationed  There- 
Teaching  the  "  Boys  "  to  Read  and  Write — Practising  Disci- 
pline— Sitting  on  Brigade  Court-Martial — Colonel  Yutzy — 
A  Comment  from  President  Lincoln. 

After  leaving  New  Creek  we  went  to  Sir 
John's  Run,  where  our  regiment  estabHshed  head- 
quarters, and  from  which  place  we  were  detached 
to  Back  Creek  Bridge,  on  the  line  of  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad,  where  we  arrived  December 
23d.  Five  or  six  of  the  companies  were  stationed 
at  the  most  important  points  along  the  line  of  this 
road ;  companies  C,  H,  I,  and  B  were  located  in 
the  order  named.  As  may  be  seen,  Company  B 
was  the  farthest  east.  Our  company's  orders 
were  to  go  to  Back  Creek  bridge  and  protect  it 
from  destruction  by  the  enemy,  who  had  on  two 
previous  occasions  burned  it  to  the  water's  edge. 

The  bridge  was  only  a  mile  from  North  Moun- 
tain, and  spanned  a  creek  that  emptied  into  the 
Potomac  river,  which  at  this  point  flowed  parallel 
with  the  railroad  for  a  considerable  distance.  The 
troops  placed  here  prior  to  our  arrival  for  the 
specific  duty  of  protecting  this  property,  had  on 
both  occasions  of  its  destruction  ingloriously  run 
(104) 


A    PERILOUS    POST.  I  OS 

away.  I  was  therefore  resolved  that,  so  far  as  I 
was  concerned,  my  company  should  not  avail  it- 
self of  the  cowardly  precedent  to  shirk  or  evade 
so  plain  a  duty  as  was  set  before  us  here. 

After  pitching  our  tents  I  made  an  inspection 
of  the  surroundings,  and,  as  a  result,  felt  satisfied 
that  we  occupied  a  good  defensive  position.  Our 
camp  was  located  in  a  skirt  of  woods  lying  between 
the  river  and  the  railroad,  the  river  on  our  left 
and  the  creek  in  our  front,  making  the  position 
one  of  great  natural  superiority  in  any  skirmish 
with  the  enemy.  The  approach  from  the  south 
side  was  the  only  one  of  which  we  were  at  all 
apprehensive  in  case  of  attack,  but  this  we  took 
special  pains  to  fortify. 

I  now  availed  myself  of  an  opportunity  to  ad- 
dress my  little  command  on. the  subject  of  the 
cowardly  conduct  of  the  raw  troops  that  had  pre- 
ceded us  at  this  point,  dwelling  at  considerable 
length  on  their  contemptible  and  unpatriotic 
action  In  running  away  from  their  post  of  duty, 
simply  on  the  report  of  country  folks  that  the 
enemy's  forces  were  coming.  In  thus  Imbuing 
the  boys  with  a  proper  detestation  of  unsoldlerlike 
poltroonery,  I  was  gratified  to  see  that  It  had  the 
desired  efi^ect  iii  causing  them  to  appreciate  and 
practise  In  their  daily  exercises  the  opposite  vir- 
tues. Although  not  yet  subjected  to  a  trial,  I  was 
impie.ssed  with  the  belief  that  we  had  some  good 
material  in  our  little  com^mand,  composed  as  it 


I06  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

was  of  Americans,  Germans,  Irishmen,  and  one 
Englishman,  Joseph  Hall  by  name.  Hall  was  one 
of  the  quietest  and  most  inoffensive  citizens  of 
Lewis  county,  but  when  in  action  he  well  sus- 
tained the  prestige  of  his  country  for  courage. 
Though  doubtless  the  equal,  yet  he  was  in  no 
wise  superior  to  many  of  his  comrades  of  other 
nationalities,  as  was  indubitably  attested  before 
the  close  of  the  war. 

We  soon  had  things  in  fair  shape  at  Back 
Creek.  Owing  to  the  continued  severity  of  the 
weather  we  could  do  but  little  drillino-,  as  the 
getting  of  fuel,  doing  of  picket  duty,  and  strict 
adherence  to  a  daily  routine  of  cleanliness  in 
person  and  accoutrements,  occupied  our  time 
and  attention  pretty  fully.  In  addition  to  the 
above  duties  I  conceived  an  idea,  born  of  a  pa- 
ternal interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  boys,  which  I 
carried  into  effect.  I  found  that  when  the  pay- 
master presented  his  pay-roll  to  my  men,  many 
of  them  made  an  "X,"  requiring  in  such  cases  a 
witness  to  their  marks.  I  took  the  occasion  to 
address  them  in  a  manner  which  my  innate  feel- 
ings dictated,  avoiding  anything  likely  to  wound 
their  pride,  and  deprecating  the  circumstances 
that  deprived  them  of  education.  I  told  them 
that  I  would  furnish  paper,  pens  and  ink,  and  de- 
vote all  the  spare  time  I  had  to  their  improve- 
ment. This  I  did  with  a  feeling  of  satisfaction 
that  no  pay  could  give.    The  result  was  that  in  a 


LESSONS    IN    CAMP.  IO7 

surprisingly  short  time  after  their  first  lessons 
many  of  the  men  signed  their  names  legibly  to 
all  documents  submitted  to  them ;  and  they  con- 
tinued to  improve  until  they  delighted  their  folks 
at  home  by  sending  them  autograph  letters,  con- 
taining the  pleasing  intelligence  that  ever  after- 
wards they  would  be  relieved  of  the  humiliation 
of  having  to  intrust  their  family  secrets  to  an  un- 
sympathetic amanuensis.  That  more  of  the  boys 
did  not  profit  by  my  humble  endeavors  in  this 
direction  was  no  fault  of  mine. 

I  also  devoted  a  good  deal  of  time  to  the  in- 
struction of  the  men  in  the  best  methods  of 
cleaning  their  arms  and  accoutrements,  and  in 
properly  folding  and  rolling  their  kits  and  great- 
coats. I  was  well  assisted  in  this  duty  by  one  of 
my  men.  Private  Lawrence  May,  of  whom  more 
anon.  I  introduced  another  feature,  not  then 
practiced  in  the  volunteer  service,  the  utility  of 
which  my  men  did  not  understand  until  near  the 
close  of  the  war,  when  they  came  in  contact  with 
the  soldiers  of  the  regular  army.  In  making  a 
detail  for  picket  or  guard  duty  there  were  always 
selected  two  more  than  the  needed  number  for 
such  service.  The  officer  whose  duty  it  was  to 
inspect  these  guards  was  each  day  required  to 
carefully  pick  out  two  of  the  cleanliest  men  in 
the  ranks  to  complete  the  quota  of  men  called 
for  under  this  rule,  and  then  to  exempt  them 
from  duty  until  it  again  became  their  time,  in 
regular  turn,  to  perform  the  unpleasant  service. 


I08  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

When  quartered  near  a  town,  or  regimental 
headquarters,  they  were  also  permitted  to  visit 
these  places  on  a  leave  of  absence  for  pleasure 
or  business  of  their  own.  It  was  a  privilege 
worth  contending  for,  and  had  the  desired  good 
effect  on  the  conduct  and  habits  of  the  men. 
Later. on,  when  we  were  with  the  Army  of  the 
James,  where  this  practice  prevailed,  the  boys 
beo^an  to  realize  that  there  was  something  in  it; 
especially  after  they  had  succeeded  in  carrying 
off  the  honors  for  soldier-like  neatness  and  clean- 
liness from  over  one  hundred  picked  men  of  the 
command. 

I  was  absent  from  my  command  from  March 
9th  to  May  3d,  1863,  sitting  on  general  courtr 
martial  at  Cumberland,  Md.  Colonel  M.  McCas- 
lin,  of  our  regiment,  was  President  of  the  court, 
and  John  F.  Hoy,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  6th 
West  Virginia  Infantry,  was  Judge  Advocate. 
Both  were  men  of  marked  ability  and  experi- 
ence. At  this  court  I  made  the  acquaintance  of 
Colonel  E.  D.  Yutzy,  then  a  Major  in  the  54th 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  afterwards  State 
Senator  from  his  district.  Colonel  Yutzy  was 
well  educated  and  embodied  the  most  ennobling 
and  desirable  qualities  of  chivalry,  vivacity,  and 
geniality.  When  in  action  he  fully  bore  out  the 
Wgh  opinion  I  had  conceived  of  him.  Although 
oui*  duties  were  Important  and  were  conducted 
with  somewhat  of  a  judicial   solemnity,  yet  we 


A   COMMENT    FROM    LINCOLN.  IO9 

found  Opportunities  to  enjoy  many  jovial  times 
together. 

The  particular  case  which  occupied  most  of 
our  attention  was  that  of  a  cold-blooded  murder. 
A  man  named  John  Martin,  of  the  23d  IllInQls, 
came  in  from  New  Creek  to  Cumberland,  and 
white  at  the  latter  place  was  set  upon  by  three  or 
four  armed  men  of  the  3d  Maryland  Brigade, 
without  any  just  provocation,  and  was  cruelly 
murdered.  The  surgeon  who  held  the  post-mor- 
tem examination  on  the  body  of  the  dead  soldier 
testified  before  the  court,  among  other  things, 
that  Private  Martin  w^as  the  finest  specimen  of 
physical  manhood  that  had  ever  come  under  his 
professional  observation. 

When  the  finding  of  the  court,  to  which  I  had 
stoutly  dissented,  went  before  President  Lincoln 
for  his  approval,  he  returned  the  papers  with  the 
indorsement  that  he  did  not  understand  how  the 
court  could  arrive  at  such  a  conclusion,  in  view 
of  the  incriminatinof  character  of  the  evidence 
submitted  durinor  die  trial.  The  findlnor  inflicted 
a  slight  punishment  only. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Keturn  to  my  Company — Petitioned  to  Resign — Resignation 
Tendered,  but  not  Accepted — Motives  Actuating  the  Signers 
OF  THE  Petition — Lack  of  Discipline  During  my  Absence — 
Daniel  Arbogast,  and  What  Befell  him — Insubordination  in 
the  Ranks — The  Result — Surprised  by  the  Enemy — Ordered 

TO    MAKE    AN    INGLORIOUS     ReTREAT — DiSGUST     THEREAT — HEAD- 
QUARTERS AT  Sir  John's  Run. 

I  RETURNED  to  my  command  at  Back  Creek  after 
^n  absence  of  fifty-two  days  and  the  boys  seemed 
glad  to  see  me,  but  it  was  a  false  and  sickly  at- 
tempt with  the  majority  of  them,  who  had  shown 
their  true  colors  in  the  shape  of  a  petition  drawn 
up,  and  numerously  signed  in  my  absence,  and 
presented  to  me  on  my  return,  asking  me,  in  effect, 
to  resign  my  commission  as  captain,  and  by  so 
doing  oblige  the  petitioners.  On  one  so  con- 
scientiously devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the 
company  as  I  felt  myself  to  be,  this  act  of  base 
ingratitude  fell  with  crushing  weight.  Acting  on 
the  impulse  of  the  indignity,  I  instantly  repaired 
to  headquarters  and  tendered  my  resignation  to 
the  colonel,  who  as  promptly  refused  to  accept  it. 
He  sat  down,  however,  and  gave  me  a  kindly 
lecture  in  his  own  pleasant  and  forcible  manner. 
He  said  that  he  w^as  highly  pleased  with  my  con- 
duct personally,  and  with  the  discipline  I  had  in- 

(no) 


VISITING    THE    GIRLS.  Ill 

stituted  in  my  command.  My  resignation,  he 
added,  would  please  my  enemies  only,  and  hurt 
my  friends,  among  whom,  he  was  pleased  to  tell 
me,  where  the  best  soldiers  in  my  company. 

On  leaving  for  headquarters  I  had  not  apprised 
the  petitioners  of  my  intentions  in  the  premises, 
and  when  I  returned  I  said  nothing  of  what  had 
transpired.  When  I  reflected  on  the  influence, 
which,  as  I  subsequently  learned,  h«ad  prompted 
the  men  to  this  act,  I  was  enabled  to  bear  the 
stigma  with  more  equanimity.  Among  the  mo- 
tives actuating  many  of  the  signers  to  this  peti- 
tion was  a  petty  ambition, — as  my  resignation,  if 
accepted,  would  create  about  fifteen  opportunities 
for  promotion  In  the  company. 

The  parties  most  zealous  in  circulating  the  paper 
for  signatures  enlarged  considerably  on  this  fact. 
Another  reason,  and  the  one  probably  that  had 
the  greatest  weight  with  the  boys,  was  an  Induce- 
ment held  forth  by  the  lieutenants,  that  in  case  of 
their  succeeding  to  the  command  of  the  company 
the  men  would  be  permitted  to  enjoy  greater 
liberty  of  action  in  camp,  and  be  granted  leave 
of  absence  with  more  frequency  than  they  were 
able  to  obtain  under  my  system  of  discipline. 

As  an  evidence  of  their  good  intentions  in  this 
particular  I  found,  upon  my  return  from  Cumber- 
land, that  there  was  not  a  good-looking  young 
lady  within  a  circle  of  three  miles  surrounding  the 
camp,  that  the  boys  were  not  more  or  less  inti- 


112  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

mately  acquainted  with.  Some  of  the  friendships 
thus  formed  by  the  soldiers  left  visibly  marked 
and  lasting  impressions ;  notably  so  in  the  case 
of  private  Daniel  Arbogast,  for  whom  the  gov- 
ernment had  no  pantaloons  long  enough,  he 
beine  six  feet  five  and  one-half  inches  in  heio^ht. 

There  were  three  men  in  the  company  whom 
we  had  considerable  trouble  in  inducing  to  practice 
ordinary  habits  of  cleanliness.  Dan  was  one  of 
them.  He  was  by  no  means  a  bad-looking  fellow 
when  he  had  made  his  toilet,  but  this  latter  hygienic 
exercise  was  of  such  rare  occurrence  that  one's 
memory  failed  to  retain  the  impression  of  his  real 
appearance,  in  the  long  intervals  which  str^ched 
between  his  ablutions.  Notwithstanding  this 
seemingly  insuperable  barrier  to  the  good  opinion 
of  the  fair  sex,  Dan  succeeded  in  making  an  im- 
pression, and  in  his  turn  was  impressed  for  life 
by  the  small- pox. 

This  misfortune  befell  him  in  the  following 
manner. 

About  a  mile  from  our  encampment  was  a  snug 
farm  house,  the  sole  occupants  of  which,  during 
the  time  we  were  stationed  at  Back  Creek,  were 
three  sisters,  all  good  looking  and  grown  to 
womanhood.  The  male  portion  of  the  household 
it  was  rumored  were  in  the  Confederate  service. 

The  proximity  of  this  abode  to  the  camp  did 
not,  as  may  weW  be  supposed,  long  remain  a  secret 
to  the  young  fellows  of  the  company,  but,  strange 


THE    DUDE,    DANIEL.  II3 

though  It  may  appear,  of  all  the  visitors  at  their 
house  Arbogast  appeared  to  be  the  most  favored 
by  the  girls.  He  was  known  to  be  one  of  the  best 
rail-splitters  and  wood-choppers  in  the  section  of 
country  whence  he  came.  He  was  also  a  fair 
house  carpenter.  These  acquirements,  coupled 
with  a  willingness  to  perform  other  little  services 
around  the  place,  proved  decided  helps  to  his 
rapid  advancement  in  the  good  estimation  of  the 
lonely  females. 

Dan  was  quite  a  character  In  his  way  ;  of  a  slow 
phlegmatic  temperament,  almost  impossible  to 
make  angry,  yet  an  absolute  stranger  to  fear. 
Whetliifer  receiving  punishment  by  the  boxing- 
gloves  on  the  hands  of  smaller  but  better  sclenced 
boys  of  the  company,  or  confronting  the  enemy 
in  the  hardest  contested  engagement,  he  invariably 
wore  the  same  imperturbable,  good-humored 
smile,  apparently  as  indifferent  to  pain  or  danger 
as  he  was  careless  of  his  personal  appearance. 

He  possessed  another  natural  gift,  not  the  least 
of  his  attractions  from  a  feminine  point  of  view. 
He  was  a  ventriloquist  to  the  extent  of  producing 
musical  sounds  from  his  lungs  without  any  visible 
movement  of  his  lips.  This  last  accomplishment 
completely  charmed  the  maidens,  and  Dan  became 
a  doubly  welcome  visitor  in  consequence.  But 
all  earthly  pleasures  are  transitory,  and  in  this 
case  the  end  came  suddenly,  and  from  an  unex- 
pected source.     The  news  reached  camp  one  day 


114  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

that  the  home  of  the  three  girls  had  been  visited 
by  that  loathsome  and  much-dreaded  pest,  the 
small-pox.  The  sisters  were  each  stricken  down, 
in  turn,  with  the  disease,  and  so  rapidly  did  they 
follow  one  another  that  the  last  to  fall  sick  was 
unable  in  the  short  interval  prior  to  her  own  ill- 
ness to  properly  attend  or  nurse  the  others.  Ar- 
bogast,  however,  did  not  desert  them  in  this  their 
trying  hour  of  need ;  or,  rather,  I  did  not  permit 
him  to  do  so,  for  it  was  at  this  critical  period  that 
I  returned  to  my  command.  After  learning  the 
situation  of  affairs  at  the  farm-house,  I  refused  to 
allow  him  to  come  near  our  quarters ;  so  he  re- 
mained like  a  brother  with  the  girls  until  they 
were  up  and  convalescent,  when  he  fell  a  victim 
to  the  disgusting  disease  himself.  On  the  humane 
rule  that  "one  good  turn  deserves  another,"  the 
girls  were  now  assiduous  in  their  care  of  Dan 
until  he  was  entirely  well. 

Notwithstanding  the  close  and  intimate  relation- 
ship subsisting  between  the  soldier  and  these 
foolish  girls  I  incline  to  the  belief  that  their  inter- 
course was  purely  of  a  friendly  sort.  In  fact  I 
may  say  while  on  this  subject  that  there  was  not 
an  instance  that  came  to  my  knowledge  during 
the  war  in  which  any  member  of  my  company 
was  charged  with  paying  unwelcome  or  ungentle- 
manly  attentions  to  the  fair  sex. 

While  Arbogast  was  lying  sick  at  the  house  of 
the  three  sisters  one  of  our  men,  who  had  a  couple 


BULL-DOZING    THE    CAPTAIN.  II  5 

of  years  previously  been  afflicted  with  small-pox, 
was  permitted  to  take  a  daily  supply  of  rations 
to  within  hailing  distance  of  the  premises  and 
leave  it  there  for  the  use  of  the  beleaeured  in- 
mates,  one  of  whom  would  shortly  appear  and 
take  the  food  into  the  house.  By  this  means,  and 
the  adoption  of  other  precautionary  measures,  the 
disease  was  happily  confined  to  its  source,  and 
all  of  the  boys,  except  Arbogast,  escaped  the 
dreadful  scouroe. 

This  then  was  the  lax  system  of  discipline  I 
found  prevailing  upon  my  return  ;  and  for  these, 
and  kindred  reasons,  the  boys  wished  to  be 
relieved  of  my  restraining  influence. 

Seeing  that  their  request  for  my  resignation 
did  not  have  the  anticipated  effect,  they  resorted 
to  other  methods  known  to  have  been  successful 
in  removino^  obnoxious  commanders  in  our  reg^i- 
ment,  the  case  of  the  captain  of  Company  C  being 
then  quite  recent.  This  was  to  resort  to  general 
insubordination  and  intimidation.  To  this  end 
about  half  a  dozen  of  the  most  unruly  members 
of  the  company  asked  permission  to  attend  a 
dance  to  be  held  some  distance  from  the  camp, 
with  the  avowed  intention,  in  the  event  of  my 
refusal,  to  test  the  question  of  mastery  between 
us.  With  a  knowledge  of  the  facts  I  accepted 
the  gauntlet  thus  thrown  down,  and  promptly 
refused  my  assent  to  their  going  to  the  dance  or 
elsewhere,  and  issued  an  order  that  no  one  should 


I  1 6  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

leave  his  quarters  after  the  last  "tattoo"  without 
permission.  I  also  instructed  the  non-commis- 
sioned officers  in  charge  of  squads  to  report  to 
me  any  infractions  of  the  above  order.  The  fol- 
lowing morning  nine  men  were  reported  to  me 
as  having  been  absent  from  their  quarters  without 
leave  during  the  whole  of  the  previous  night. 

I  sent  word  to  the  first  lieutenant  to  prepare  for 
duty,  but  the  orderly  returned  with  the  reply  that 
that  officer  was  sick.  The  second  lieutenant  was 
next  called  on  to  report  for  service,  but  he  also 
was  indisposed;  and  so  on  down  the  limited  list. 
In  fact  I  never  found,  before  or  after,  so  many  of 
my  company  ill  as  on  this  occasion. 

They  all  appeared  to  be  enjoying  poor  health. 
In  short,  the  officers  and  a  majority  of  the  men 
were  aware  that  the  culprits  intended  to  resist 
arrest,  and  they  did  not,  therefore,  care  to  respond 
to  the  disagreeable  call,  for  the  double  reason 
that  they  were  in  secret  sympathy  with  the 
offenders,  and  that  the  latter  were  known  to  have 
in  addition  to  their  muskets  a  good  supply  of 
"  six-shooters,"  thereby  making  an  attempt  to 
place  them  under  arrest  extra  hazardous. 

In  this  emergency  I  took  hold  of  matters  my- 
self. I  promptly  wrote  out  charges  and  specifica- 
tions against  the  men,  and  addressed  the  docu- 
ment  to  the  colonel  of  the  regiment.  After  this 
was  done  I  dressed  in  full  uniform,  with  sword 
and  side-arms,  called  an   orderly-sergeant,  took 


SUPPRESSING    MUTINY.  II7 

him  with  me  to  the  men's  quarters,  had  him  call 
out  a  detail  of  eight  privates  and  a  sergeant, 
armed  and  equipped  for  duty,  marched  to  the 
quarters  of  the  malcontents,  and  in  double-file 
opened  order.  Leaving  them  in  this  position,  and 
vi^ithout  telling  them  what  the  exact  nature  of  their 
duty  was  to  be,  I  walked  into  the  Sibley  tent  and 
over  to  where  Thomas  Hynes,  one  of  the  bravest 
of  the  culprits  stood,  revolver  in  hand.  I  did  not 
lay  hands  on  any  of  my  weapons,  but  walked 
directly  over  to  where  he  stood,  and  with  a  quick 
movement  wrenched  the  revolver  from  his  hand. 
I  then  took  him  by  the  shoulder,  and  he  went  out 
into  the  ranks  ready  to  receive  him  about  as 
quickly  as  had  the  revolver  disappeared  from  his 
hand. 

There  was  no  trouble  with  the  remaining  of- 
fenders. 

While  this  little  scene  was  beinof  enacted  the 
sick  lieutenants  were  outside  of  their  tents  taking 
particular  notice  of  what  was  transpiring.  The 
(to  them)  unexpected  result  worked  a  wondrous 
change  in  their  physical  conditions,  and  they  re- 
covered their  health  as  suddenly  as  they  had  lost 
it. 

When  all  the  prisoners  were  secured  the  word 
to  "  forward  march  "  was  given,  and  I  delivered 
them  a  short  time  later,  together  with  the  papers 
addressed  to  the  colonel,  into  the  charge  of  Cap- 
tain Newman,  of  Company  I,  with  the  request 


Il8  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

that  he  escort  them  to  Captain  Liiken,  of  Com- 
pany H,  and  thence  to  the  captain  of  Company  C, 
at  Alpine,  with  instructions  that  they  be  forwarded 
to  headquarters  of  the  regiment  at  Sir  John's  Run. 
By  this  time  the  boys  began  to  reahze  that  I  not 
only  had  some  idea  of  the  prerogatives  of  my 
position,  but  was  not  particularly  backward  about 
exercising  them. 

After  reaching  headquarters  the  prisoners  were 
sent  to  Cumberland,  there  to  languish  for  two  or 
three  months  in  dark  and  noisome  cells,  awaiting 
the  next  sitting  of  a  general  court-martial.  When 
they  had  endured  this  sort  of  thing  for  a  couple 
of  weeks  they  began  writing  humbly  worded  let- 
ters to  the  colonel,  begging  his  intercession  in 
their  behalf.  The  latter  was,  if  possible,  more 
tender-hearted  than  the  immortal  Lincoln  himself. 
By  repeated  entreaties,  they  so  worked  upon  his 
feelings  that  he  corresponded  with  me  on  the 
subject  of  their  release.  Before  doing  so,  how- 
ever, he  gave  the  prisoners  to  understand  that  he 
could  do  nothino^  unless  I  consented  to  withdraw 
the  charges  I  had  preferred  against  them.  They 
thereupon  turned  their  attention  to  me,  writing  in 
a  very  submissive  spirit,  and  promising  to  be  good 
soldiers  in  the  future  if  permitted  to  return  to 
their  company. 

My  only  object — the  enforcement  of  a  proper 
respect  for  discipline — having  been  attained,  I 
readilv  consented  to  their  release,  and  we  soon 


THE    ENEMY    AT    HAND.  II9 

had  them  back  with  us.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to 
state  that  after  their  return  they  all  made  first- 
rate  records,  and  were,  during  the  war,  among  the 
most  subordinate  of  my  command. 

About  this  time  we  were  busy  erecting  at  a 
short  distance  south  of  the  railroad  track  a  block- 
house for  better  defensive  purposes.  It  was  to 
be  a  good  structure,  though  comparatively  small, 
being  intended  to  comfortably  accommodate  one 
company  only,  but  In  case  of  an  attack  two  com- 
panies might  be  disposed  within  Its  walls.  While 
still  working  on  it,  and  just  before  the  roof  was 
placed  in  position,  we  received  reliable  Informa- 
tion that  the  enemy  was  approaching  in  the  direc- 
tion of  our  camp.  Corporal  Monypenney  and 
myself  made  a  reconnoissance,  and  found  the  re- 
port to  be  correct.  Just  as  we  returned  a  cav- 
alryman, named  Pelffer,  came  dashing  into  camp 
badly  scared,  and  his  horse  covered  with  foam, 
carrying  the  intelligence  that  Longstreet's  di- 
vision of  the  enemy  was  only  a  short  distance  in 
his  rear. 

The  long-looked-for  issue,  I  thought,  was  now 
at  hand  that  would  test  the  kind  of  material  of 
which  we  were  composed.  The  men  had  been 
schooled  so  well  in  their  duties  that  I  do  not  recall 
a  single  instance  of  any  of  them  suggesting  igno- 
minious retreat.  We  hurriedly  detailed  half  a 
dozen  men  to  go  with  a  handcar  and  water-vessels 

to  a  spring  bordering  the  track  in  the  direction 
s 


I20  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

of  North  Mountain,  and  quite  close  to  its  base,  for 
a  supply  of  drinking-water  for  our  use  in  case  of 
a  siege. 

By  this  time  we  were  reinforced  by  Company  I, 
Captain  Newman  in  command,  who  had  been  sta- 
tioned a  few  miles  westward  from  our  camp. 
The  captain,  on  learning  of  the  critical  situation, 
had  wisely  decided  to  join  us  at  the  block-house. 
In  view  of  the  reported  large  force  of  the  enemy 
approaching,  he  objected  to  going  with  his  com- 
pany Into  the  fort,  preferring,  he  said,  to  take  to 
the  little  skirt  of  woods  bounded  by  the  river  and 
the  railroad. 

Being  senior  officer  I  vetoed  this  suggestion, 
pointing  out  the  fact  that  in  such  a  position  he 
would  be  sure  to  be  captured,  as  retreat  would 
be  impossible  ;  and  finally,  that  he  could  not  hope 
to  do  much  effective  damage  to  the  enemy  before 
the  latter  would  be  upon  him.  Both  companies 
were  then  instructed  to  retire  within  the  block- 
house, and  prepare  for  the  stern  duty  apparently 
before  them.  This  they  complied  with,  and  In  a 
short  time  all  the  men  were  safely  Inside. 

While  a  squad  of  four  or  five,  under  my  Imme- 
diate charofe,  were  brinorlnof  In  the  last  remnants 
of  our  camp  traps,  I  heard  the  shrill  whistle  of  a 
locomotive  shrieking  away  around  the  bend  In  our 
rear,  the  train  coming  eastward.  I  knew  in  a 
moment  what  it  meant,  and,  although  not  to  my 
credit  to  say  so,  1  pronounced  a  hearty  malediction 


UNWELCOME    ORDERS.  121 


on  this,  the  Instrument  of  our  dehverance ;  for 
such,  indeed,  it  was,  and  with  its  arrival  were 
blasted  all  hopes  of  our  having  an  opportunity  to 
give  a  good  account  of  ourselves  in  the  expected 


enoraorement. 

O       <5 


Looking  back  at  the  situation  now,  with  a 
calmer  and  more  experienced  mind,  I  am  free  to 
confess  that  it  is  altogether  likely  the  timely  ar- 
rival of  this  train  saved  many,  if  not  all,  of  the 
lives  of  our  small  body.  The  engine,  tender  and 
four  or  five  flat-cars  came  to  a  standstill  at  a  point 
near  where  I  was  standing,  and  Captain  S.  F. 
Shaw,  of  Company  G,  jumped  from  the  train,  and 
approaching  me  hurriedly  said,  in  his  concise  and 
off-hand  manner: 

"  Captain,  it  is  the  colonel's  orders  that  you  at 
once  get  your  command  aboard  this  train,  and  not 
to  wait  even  for  your  knapsacks." 

Deeply  chagrined,  I  replied  that  I  should  obey 
orders,  but  that  I  would  have  to  await  the  return 
of  the  men  sent  down  the  track  for  water,  before 
complying.  Glancing  towards  the  engine,  I  took 
a  mental  survey  of  the  individual  who  presided  at 
the  throttle.  His  appearance  indicated  seemingly 
that  he  was  the  right  man  for  an  emergency. 
Approaching,  I  asked  him  if  he  would  run  down 
the  road  a  short  distance  and  pick  up  the  water 
squad.  He  assented  readily,  and  with  the  air  of 
a  man  who  could  be  relied  upon  to  do  his  full  duty. 
I  have  always  been  sorry  that  I  did  not  learn  the 


122  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HATRED    YANK. 

brave  fellow's  name.  I  sent  five  or  six  privates 
armed  with  muskets  with  him,  and  they  cut  loose 
from  the  train,  taking  but  one  car  with  them. 
While  they  were  gone  we  loaded  our  camp  and 
garrison  equipage  on  the  remaining  cars. 

The  rebel  skirmishers  were  now  in  plain  sight. 
That  they  did  not  open  fire  on  the  boys  who  had 
gone  for  the  water,  or  their  rescuers  on  the  loco- 
motive, has  always  been  a  mystery  to  me.  Per- 
haps, seeing  the  train  loaded  with  soldiers,  it 
impressed  them  with  the  belief  that  if  they  opened 
the  ball  first,  they  might  awaken  an  unwelcome 
response  of  grape  and  canister  from  us.  How- 
ever this  may  be,  the  engine  soon  returned  unmo- 
lested, bearing  back  all  of  the  men  but  three  who 
had  become  separated  from  their  comrades,  and 
who,  on  seeing  their  retreat  cut  off  by  the  enemy, 
procured  horses  and  succeeded  in  crossing  the 
Potomac  and  escaping.  To  our  agreeable  sur- 
prise, they  rejoined  their  company  at  New  Creek, 
a  few  days  later.  We  not  only  took  our  knap- 
sacks, but  every  other  article  of  property  we  had 
charofe  of  at  this  station. 

When  moving  off,  I  could  not  help  feeling,  as  I 
took  a  last  look  at  that  unfortunate  bridge — 
doomed  for  a  third  time  to  destruction — that  our 
running  away  without  making  an  effort  to  save  it, 
while  it  might  evidence  good  generalship,  savored 
considerably  of  cowardice.  On  our  ignominious 
retreat  to  headquarters  we  picked  up  two  other 


SIR  John's  run.  123 

companies,  I  and  H,  at  short  Intervals  apart.  They 
each  had  their  equipments  in  readiness  to  load  as 
we  came  up.  No  incident  worthy  of  mention 
occurred  during  the  ride,  and  we  arrived  un- 
harmed at  Sir  John's  Run  in  due  time. 

Thus  did  we  add  our  names  to  the  long  list  of 
those  who  "run  away,"  but  who  thereby  "live  to 
fight  some  other  day." 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Return  to  New  Creek — Forced  Marches  in  Pursuit  of  General 
Lee — Thoughts  Upon  the  Expected  Engagement — Suggestions 
to  General  B.  F.  Kelley — Escape  of  the  Enemy — Following 
him  up — Crossing  the  Potomac — Engaging  the  Enemy's  Skir- 
mishers— Tables  Turned  on  us — Our  Hurried  Flight — Second 
Advance — Final  Escape  of  Lee. 

We  remained  at  headquarters  until  June  i6th, 
when  we  received  orders  to  proceed,  for  the  sec- 
ond time,  to  New  Creek.  After  a  stay  of  about 
twenty  days  at  the  latter  place,  and  about  the 
time  of  the  great  battle  at  Gettysburg,  our  bri- 
gade, under  command  of  General  B.  F.  Kelley, 
received  hurried  marching  orders  to  proceed  in 
the  direction  of  that  historic  field. 

We  marched  direct  from  New  Creek  to  Cum- 
berland, Md.,  thence  northeasterly  on  the  pike  to 
Hancock.  We  tramped  all  day  and  night  in  an 
incessant  and  drenchinof  rain  that  had  not  abated 
when  we  arrived  the  followinof  mornino^  at  Han- 
cock,  amidst  a  terrific  downpour,  tired,  soaked 
and  miserably  wretched. 

Of  the  entire  brigade  there  were  only  ten  or 

twelve  men  on  the  ground  when  morning  broke. 

Only  two  of  these,  Sergeant  May  and  Corporal 

Hitt,  in  addition  to  myself,  were  of  Company  B. 
(124) 


'ciirtJiiLrirMiKiiilr  '  '.■i|;,.;;l'[ii:;i^"''',itliM|ii''ll:;i  'I;:;!!  I"' 


ft 

*-< 

p 

crq 


p 

3 


O 

o 
w 

p 

3 


•-! 

r> 

S3 

p 


p 
cr; 


to 

4^ 


i:iii:iiliiiilii:,'i'ili[l!lllii 


SOAKING    WET.  I  25 

The  poor  fellows  composing  this  advance  squad 
were  in  a  pitiable  state  from  fatigue  and  loss  of 
sleep. 

The  rear  guard,  finding  a  great  portion  of  the 
command  lying  on  the  roadside  asleep,  would 
awaken  and  drive  them  in  their  front.  It  was  a 
sad  siorht  to  see  the  tired  soldiers  staororerino-  and 
falllncr  Hke  drunken  men,  uro^ed  onward  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet  in  the  hands  of  their  com- 
rades in  their  rear. 

Having  arrived  at  Hancock,  I  lay  down  In  a 
fence  corner,  with  a  rail  for  a  pillow,  and  was 
soon  sound  asleep.  When  I  awoke,  a  couple  of 
hours  later,  a  rippling  current  was  playing  through 
my  long  hair,  and  my  body  was,  if  possible,  more 
thoroughly  water-soaked  than  when  I  first  laid 
down.  It  is  strange,  but  true,  that  at  the  time  I 
felt  no  ill  effects  from  this  wretched  exposure. 

We  rested  at  Hancock  until  July  iith,  when 
we  continued  our  march  to  Fairview,  one  of  the 
most  elevated  points  in  Maryland,  and  command- 
ing a  fine  view  of  some  of  the  grandest  scenery 
in  the  State.  We  are  reinforced  by  General 
AverlH's  brigade,  consisting  of  cavalry  and  artil- 
lery, making  our  total  force  about  seven  thousand 
strong,  all  in  prime  condition,  and — if  judged  by 
their  appearance  and  actions — spoiling  for  a  fight. 

From  the  indications  then  observable  it  looked 
strongly  as  though  their  desires  in  this  particular 
were  to  be  fully  gratified  within  a  very  short  time. 


126  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-H4IRED    YANK. 

General  Lee  was  known  to  be  retreatlnsf  south- 
ward,  after  his  disastrous  meeting  with  Meade. 
He  was  moving  over  the  route  leading  through 
the  section  in  which  we  then  were,  and  the  prob- 
abilities of  our  meetinor  him  were  stronor.  Durinor 
the  night  of  July  i  ith  I  slept  but  little.  Although 
not  assigned  to  duty,  my  mind  was  busy  with 
thoughts  of  the  battle  likely  to  be  fought  on  the 
following  day. 

It  may  seem,  and  doubtless  it  was,  quite  absurd 
in  an  obscure  captain,  commanding  but  a  handful 
of  men,  to  be  revolving  in  his  mind,  as  was  I, 
plans  upon  which  to  conduct  the  expected  engage- 
ment; but  I  could  not  help  it.  I  believed  firmly 
that  the  auspicious  time  for  ending  the  bloody 
strife  had  arrived.  The  fall  of  Vicksburg  on  July 
4th,  the  day  following  that  on  which  the  long- 
contested  and  famous  battle  of  Gettysburg  was 
ended  and  won  for  the  Union,  had  discouraged 
the  whipped  and  retreating  enemy  now  approach- 
ing us;  and  I  felt  that,  aided  by  the  natural  ad- 
vantages of  our  position,  we  might  safely  engage 
Lee  at  a  time  when  his  army  was  divided  by  the 
boomine  waters  of  the  then  swollen  Potomac, 
with  the  undoubted  assurance  of  harasslncr  him 
greatly,  and  possibly  winning  a  partial  victory 
from  him  after  first  making  the  division  of  his 
forces  complete  by  smashing  his  pontoons. 

I  learned  during  the  night  from  two  deserters 
that  Lee  was  about  to  cross  the  river  at  Williams- 


TRYING    TO    ENTRAP    LEE.  12/ 

port,  Md,,  a  small  town  a  few  miles  below  us. 
The  knowledge  of  his  intentions  thus  acquired 
suggested  the  idea  above  mentioned,  of  dividing 
his  army.  I  submitted  my  views,  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, to  General  Kelley,  to  the  effect  that  I  had  a 
good  local  knowledge  of  the  topography  of  this 
section,  acquired  while  stationed  at  Back  Creek, 
and  was  aware  that  there  were  a  o-reat  number 

o 

of  large  trees  overhanging  the  banks  of  the  then 
turbulent  stream  for  a  considerable  distance  on 
both  its  sides,  which,  if  cut  down  and  allowed  to 
fall  into  the  rapid  current  after  a  portion  of  the 
enemy  had  crossed,  would  undoubtedly  crush  and 
sweep  away  his  pontoon  bridges,  and  effectually 
separate  his  army.  This  accomplished  we  could 
safely  engage  the  first  portion  of  his  command 
with  at  least  equal  chances  of  success. 

I  tendered  the  general  the  services  of  my 
company  for  this  work,  which  could  have  been 
easily  and  quickly  accomplished  by  them,  the 
majority  of  them  being  practical  wood-choppers, 
had  they  received  orders  to  do  so  ;  but  the  order 
never  came.  Every  man  of  Lee's  army  who 
wanted  to  do  so  got  safely  across  the  river  with- 
out molestation  or  interruption  from  us,  while  we 
were  calmly  squinting  at  their  progress  through 
field-glasses  at  a  high  elevation  and  a  civil  dis- 
tance. In  my  humble  opinion  there  never  was  a 
grander  opportunity  for  a  brilliant  coup  de  grace 
than  was  lost  to  the  Union  cause  on  this  occasion. 


128  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

At  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning,  July  I2th, 
we  could  hear  some  splendid  cannonading  east 
of  Fairview.  A  little  later  we  located  it  east  of 
Williamsport.  It  soon  died  out,  however,  and  we 
could  only  surmise  its  cause. 

We  lay  inactive,  or  nearly  so,  at  Fairview  for 
the  next  two  days,  or  until  July  14th,  when  we 
received  marching  orders  and  started  at  dawn  on 
double-quick  time.  Major  E.  D.  Yutzy,  of  the 
54th  Pennsylvania  (afterwards  Colonel,  and  later 
State  Senator),  was  with  me  a  good  deal  on  this 
march.  I  greatly  enjoyed,  when  it  was  possible 
to  indulge  in  it,  the  companionship  of  Yutzy,  who 
combined  the  very  essence  of  intellectual  per- 
spicacity with  high  military  chivalry. 

From  later  information  received  from  fresh 
deserters  we  learned  that  the  last  of  Lee's  army 
was  safely  across  the  Potomac  river  before  we 
got  our  eleventh  hour  orders  to  move  quickly. 
This  news  made  our  hurried  efforts  now  appear 
so  ridiculous  and  unnecessary  that  it  was  more 
than  Yutzy  and  the  writer  could  quietly  stand. 
The  former  loudly  and  severely  cridcised  the 
stupid  dilatoriness  of  our  commanders  on  this 
occasion,  to  all  of  which  I  cordially  agreed  in 
terms  equally  emphadc.  Our  uncompHmentary 
-and  insubordinate  remarks  were  made  in  the 
hearing  of  the  generals,  as  we  marched  along, 
and  might  easily  have  been  made  by  them  the 
basis  of  a  trial  by  court-mardal  with  my  friend 


THE  GAME  SAFELY  GONE.  1 29 

and  self  as  defendants  ;  but  our  indignation  made 
us  for  the  time  being,  indifferent  to  any  risks  we 
might  be  running  in  this  particular. 

On  arriving  at  Williamsport,  after  our  hurried 
march,  we  found,  as  we  had  all  along  anticipated, 
the  game  safely  gone.  Everybody  felt  disgrun- 
tled at  this  farcical  outcome  of  our  long  and 
arduous  tramp  from  New  Creek ;  and  consider- 
able grumbling  was  indulged  in  by  the  men  at 
the  expense  of  our  commanders. 

It  is  possible,  and  may  be  probable,  that  the 
latter  were  acting  under  orders,  and  carrying  out 
instructions  received  from  a  higher  authority  ;  or 
that  their  object  was  simply  to  keep  the  enemy 
from  foraging  on  the  loyal  people  living  along  the 
route  he  was  then  following.  If  the  latter,  our 
trip  was  fairly  successful.  Whatever  may  have 
been  the  reason,  the  fact  remains  that,  judging 
from  apparent  results,  we  had  not  accomplished 
much.  What  made  our  disappointment  complete 
was  the  common  expectation  of  great  things  from 
Generals  Averell  and  Kelley,  both  gentlemen  of 
unquestioned  bravery. 

In  following  the  retreating  enemy  we  returned 
on  the  15th  as  far  as  Cherry  Run,  after  enduring 
considerable  hardships  owing  to  the  rough  con- 
dition of  the  roads  over  which  we  marched.  On* 
the  day  following  our  arrival  General  Kelley  be- 
came anxious  to  cross  to  the  south  bank  of  the 
Potomac.     The  river  was  still  high  and  rapid  and 


130  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-IIAIRED    YANK. 

the  only  available  means  of  crossing  consisted  of 
three  or  four  small  and  poorly  constructed  flat- 
bottom  barges,  scarcely  large  enough  to  hold 
more  than  one  com'pany  on  each  trip,  and  one 
large  barge,  capable  of  answering  the  needed 
purpose,  but  which  could  not  be  utilized  until  a 
cable  was  first  stretched  from  bank  to  bank  to 
oruide  the  craft. 

For  a  suitable  rope  we  did  not  know  how  long 
we  miofht  have  to  wait,  there  not  belnor  one  lonof 
enough,  or  strong  enough,  in  our  wagon  train,  so  it 
w-as  found  to  be  necessary  to  send  back  several 
miles  to  secure  Vv^hat  was  needed.  There  seemed 
to  be  great  impatience  among  the  men  to  get  across 
the  stream  ;  and  a  number  of  them  cast  about 
for  a  means   for  doinor  so  other  than  the   cable. 

o 

But  nobodv  seemed  to  think  of  usinor  the  small 
flats  for  that  purpose,  as  they  appeared  useless, 
being  without  oars  to  propel  them. 

Struck  with  an  idea  that  I  thought  micrht  be  of 
service,  I  went  to  General  Kelley,  and  asked  him 
if  he  desired  some  of  the  troops  put  over  at  once. 
He  replied  that  he  did,  but  could  not  see  how  it 
could  well  be  done  until  the  arrival  of  the  large 
rope  mentioned. 

"General,"  said  I,  "if  you  order  me  to  do  so,  I 
will  put  my  company  over  in  a  short  time." 

He  was  somewhat  doubtful  of  the  success  of 
such  an  attempt ;  but  upon  my  reaffirming  my 
ability  to  perform  the  feat,  he  directed  his  adjutant- 


CROSSING    THE    RIVER.  I3I 

general,  Captain  Thayer  Melvin,  to  Issue  orders 
to  our  regiment  to  cross  the  river. 

Expecting  to  be  the  first  called  upon,  I  antici- 
pated my  colonel's  orders  to  the  extent  of  send- 
ing a  tew  of  my  men  into  the  woods  to  cut  down 
saplings  for  poles  long  enough  and  stout  enough 
for  our  intended  purpose.  While  they  were 
gone  we  secured  one  of  the  small  flats  to  be  used 
by  us  in  making  the  trial.  We  then  awaited  the 
return  of  the  men  from  the  woods,  and  orders 
to  make  theeffort  from  our  regimental  commander. 
These  latter  did  not  reach  us,  however,  until  two 
other  companies  had  first  made  the  attempt,  and 
were  swept  down  with  the  current  for  fully  a  mile 
from  their  starting-point. 

At  last  our  company  got  the  looked-for  orders 
and  immediately  we  were  in  the  swift  and  angry 
waters.  Stripping  to  our  shirts,  we  cast  wide 
our  poles  and  bent  to  the  work  with  a  will  ;  each 
man  straining  every  nerve  to  accomplish  the  feat, 
his  pride  aroused  to  the  utmost  in  the  effort. 
We  poled  the  boat  in  a  diagonal  course  to  a  point 
some  distance  above,  and  after  great  exertions 
made  the  landing  safely,  before  the  others,  who 
had  almost  an  hour's  start,  had  touched  the  shore. 
After  making  one  or  two  more  trips  without 
mishaps,  the  large  rope  arrived  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  troops  made  the  passage  easily 
and  expeditiously. 

On  the  17th  we  marched  to  within  a  mile  of 


132  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HATRED    YANK. 

Hedgersvllle,  near  where  we  could  see  the 
enemy's  videttes  in  a  skirt  of  woods  lying  be- 
tween the  village  and  our  main  body.  Back 
Creek,  now  overflowing  its  banks,  lay  between 
them  and  us.  Volunteers  were  now  called  for 
to  cross  the  creek,  move  in  the  direction  of  the 
town,  and  flank  the  rebel  pickets.  One  hundred 
and  ten  men,  a  captain  and  two  lieutenants,  volun- 
teered for  the  duty;  but  on  reaching  the  stream 
at  the  point  intended  for  the  passage  they  found 
that  the  bridge  spanning  it  had  been  swept  away. 
All  halted,  undecided  what  to  do.  Plunging  in,  I 
offered  to  lead  the  party  across,  and  we  all  started 
to  ford  the  creek.  The  water  took  us  breast-high, 
and  was  running  very  strong,  causing  us  no  litde 
trouble  to  keep  our  feet.  By  holding  their  guns 
hieh  above  their  heads,  the  men  succeeded  in 
keeping  them  dry. 

Once  over,  we  started  in  hot  pursuit  of  the 
"  Johnnies  •  "  finding  them  well  mounted,  however, 
we  had  to  abandon  the  chase,  but  not  before  our 
places  were  taken  by  a  squad  of  General  Averell's 
cavalry,  who  pursued  the  enemy  so  successfully 
that  they  returned  in  a  short  time  with  twenty 
prisoners.  The  gaunt  and  hungry  appearance 
of  these  captives  and  their  animals  was  ample 
evidence  that  General  Lee's  army,  horse  and  foot, 
had  been  on  decidedly  short  rations  for  some  time 
previous  to  this  date. 

It  was  aftei   nio[htfall  when  we  returned,  well 


NEARLY    ENTRAPPED.  I  33 

tired,  to  camp,  after  having  driven  the  enemy's 
foragers  from  Hedgersville.  From  trustworthy 
information  received  at  the  above  place  we 
learned  that  Lee,  aware  of  our  pursuit  of  him, 
was  preparing  to  turn  the  tables  on  us  and  entrap 
our  entire  command  ;  and  that  his  apparendy 
hurried  flight  was  only  a  ruse  to  this  end.  Acting 
in  good  faith  on  this  news,  we  at  once  fell  back 
towards  Cherry  Run;  and,  as  it  proved,  not  a 
moment  too  soon,  for  only  by  keeping  it  up  far 
into  the  night  did  we  escape  capture. 

On  July  2oth  four  companies,  including  Com- 
pany B,  in  charge  of  Major  Yutzy,  were  detailed 
to  act  as  skirmishers  on  our  second  advance  in 
the  direction  of  the  enemy.  Shortly  after  starting, 
we  espied  a  squad  of  rebels.  We  pursued  them 
for  an  hour  and  a  half,  keeping  them  on  the  back- 
ward move  all  of  that  time.  A  company  of  the 
14th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  joined  us  later  In  the 
chase,  and  two  of  their  men  were  badly  wounded 
in  a  sharp  engagement  that  followed. 

The  Confederates  continued  to  retreat  very 
rapidly  until  they  were  in  the  Immediate  vicinity 
of  their  main  body,  when  w^e  in  turn  were  ordered 
to  fall  back.  When  night  shut  out  our  view,  it 
was  learned  that  Lee  was  acrain  closinof  In  on  us. 
I  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  most  advanced 
pickets,  with  instructions  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout 
for  the  enemy.  Nothing  transpired  until  about 
midnight,  when  all  of  our  command  except    the 


134  THE    FLYING,    GKAV-H AIRED    YANK. 

ever  faithful  Yutzy  and  my  company  stole  quietly 
away  in  the  darkness,  leaving  us  where  we  were 
to  act  as  a  blind ;  thereby  making  the  approach 
of  the  enemy  more  slow  and  cautious,  under  the 
impression  that  the  remainder  of  our  troops  were 
in  our  front.  The  trick  succeeded  and  no  doubt 
saved  the  entire  command,  as  when  morning  broke 
the  last  of  our  troops  were  scarcely  five  minutes 
on  the  other  side  of  the  river  when  an  overwhelm- 
ing force,  under  General  Lee  in  person,  came  hur- 
riedly down  upon  us. 

That  the  rebels  were  suffering  severely  from 
hunger  was  evident  from  the  avidity  displayed  by 
the  poor  fellows  in  picking  up  and  eagerly  de- 
vouring the  crumbs  and  scraps  left  by  us  in  our 
late  camp.  When  we  reached  the  north  side  of 
the  Potomac  river  our  artillery  was  placed  in  a 
commanding  position  and  trained  on  the  enemy; 
and  so  we  rested  until  the  24th,  when,  General 
Lee  having  withdrawn,  we  recrossed  the  Potomac 
to  the  Virginia  side,  and  in  a  short  time  were  once 
more  encamped  on  the  old  grounds  at  Back  Creek, 
where  we  remained  until  July  31st. 

Little  of  interest  occurred  during  our  second 
stay  at  this  place,  except  that  deserters  continued 
to  come  in  regularly  every  day.  Owing  to  the 
absence  of  proper  police  regulations,  the  sanitary 
condition  of  our  camp  became  miserable,  and  the 
place  becoming  very  unhealthy  we  were  all  glad^ 
to  get  away. 


FOLLOWING    THE    FOE.  1 35 

On  the  31st  we  followed  in  the  wake  of  a  part 
of  Lee's  forces,  retreating  southwestward,  keeping 
between  them  and  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail- 
road. On  this  march  we  went  through  Rocky 
Springs,  Birchtown,  Big  Cacapon,  and  Blue  Gap, 
in  Virginia,  and  on  August  4th  we  encamped  ten 
miles  east  of  Romney,  the  county-seat  of  Hamp- 
shire county.  West  Virginia. 
9 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Pastimes  of  the  Troops — Encamped  at  Meciianicsburg  Gap — A 
Friendly  Set-to — Breaking  Camp — Arrival  at  Alpine — Placed 
IN  Command  of  two  Companies — The  Post  Proves  a  Respon- 
sible One — Complaints  of  the  Actions  of  Troops  Previously 
Stationed  at  Alpine. 

On  August  5th  we  marched  ten  miles  before 
dinner,  and  In  the  afternoon  encamped  at  Me- 
chanicsburg  Gap,  two  miles  west  of  Romney.  Our 
camp  here  proved  an  agreeable  change  from  that 
of  Back  Creek,  the  air  being  pure  and  the  sur- 
roundings mountainous.  The  valley  of  the  south 
branch  of  the  Potomac  was  very  level  and  fertile, 
showing  evident  signs  of  a  prosperous  people  in 
this  section  before  the  war.  Here  the  pursuit  of 
Lee,  so  far  as  our  brigade  was  concerned,  ended, 
and  we  remained  encamped  at  Romney  for  sev- 
eral months. 

Many  Incidents  transpired  during  our  stay  here 
which  I  should  like  to  mention,  but  space  will 
hardly  permit  of  my  doing  so.  I  shall,  however, 
venture  to  make  one  exception.  One  of  the 
many  pastimes  in  which  the  boys  of  the  brigade 
in  their  leisure  moments  indulged,  was  the  prac- 
tice of  the  manly  art  of  self-defence.  A  majority 
of  the  younger  element  of  the  rank  and  file  were 

'■       ^136) 


JDW.A.11XVJ       1XLI\  LK^LICjO, 


0/ 


enthusiastic  "boxers,"  were  falHy  well  scienced 
and  frequently  participated  in  lively  "  slugging  '* 
matches.  As  was  to  be  expected,  quite  a  rivalry 
soon  sprang  up  regarding  the  question  of  su- 
premacy in  the  fistic  art,  between  the  men  of  the 
different  companies.  At  the  time  of  which  I  write, 
it  appears  that  the  boys  of  Company  B  had  been 
declared  winners  in  several  friendly  set-tos,  and, 
as  a  result,  were  permitted  to  wear  the  '*  belt "  as 
champions.  This  fact  had,  of  course,  somewhat 
nettled  the  other  members  of  the  brigade,  and  as 
a  means  of  equalizing  honors,  they  taunted  the 
winners  with  the  claim  that  they  had  an  officer 
(a  captain  of  a  company  from  one  of  the  chief 
cities  of  our  State)  who,  if  he  could  be  induced  to 
put  on  the  gloves,  would  easily  get  away  with 
anything  that  Company  B  might  bring  up. 

I  afterwards  learned  that  private  Malia,  one  of 
our  best  boxers,  and  no  less  an  intrepid  soldier, 
spoke  up  in  answer  to  this  defiance,  saying :  "  By 

,  our  'Gray  Eagle'  (a  term  not  infrequently 

applied  to  me  in  those  days,  by  reason  of  my  being 
prematurely  gray)  can  do  the  business  for  him,  if 
we  can  only  arrange  to  get  them  to  the  scratch." 

Well,  this  bantering  by  both  sides  was  kept  up 
until  at  lenoth  thev  did  succeed  in  brincrlnor  the 
captain  and  myself  to  the  mark  In  the  following 
manner:  amono-  all  the  officers  of  our  command, 
the  captain  In  question  was  my  especial  friend  and 
favorite,  and  we  were  a  orreatdeal  together  in  con- 


138  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

sequence.  It  so  chanced  that  on  the  20th  of 
August,  he  and  myself  were  at  headquarters  re- 
ceiving- orders  from  the  colonel,  and  as  we  started 
to  leave  we  noticed,  about  ten  yards  distant,  a 
number  of  the  soldiers  amusino-  themselves  with 
the  gloves.  Curious  to  know  who  they  were  and 
how  they  were  getting  along,  we  strolled  together 
leisurely  in  that  direction.  As  we  approached, 
the  contestants  ceased  sparring,  and  they,  together 
with  the  on-lookers,  came  smilingly  towards  us 
and,  with  a  bow,  presented  us  with  the  "  mits,"  at 
the  same  time  requesting  us,  in  the  most  per- 
suasive manner  possible,  to  show  them  a  "  little 
fun." 

We  were  both  diffident  In  accepting  the  prof- 
fered gloves,  but  the  boys  were  persistent  in  their 
importunities  until,  at  last,  we  reluctantly  con- 
sented to  gratify  their  curiosity  for  a  few  minutes. 
When  we  were  in  our  shirt  sleeves,  I  found  that  I 
had  in  the  captain  a  finely-built  young  man  to 
encounter.  He  was  in  the  prime  of  life,  about 
twenty-seven  years  old,  and  about  my  own  height 
(five  feet  eleven  inches),  but  was  considerably 
heavier  than  I  then  was. 

I  soon  found  that  the  captain,  as  a  boxer,  mer- 
ited the  good  opinion  in  which  he  was  held  by  his 
men,  who  were  themselves  well  up  in  the  science. 
We  continued  sparring  longer  than  I  first  intended 
we  should,  owine  to  a  mutual  dislike  to  inflict 
injury.     Finally,  after  satisfying  myself  from  the 


A    KNOCK    OUT.  1 39 

manner  In  which  my  opponent  handled  himself, 
that  I  was  master  of  the  situation,  I  said :  "  Cap- 
tain, let  us  take  them  off;  we've  shown  the  boys 
enough  of  fun  now." 

My  proposition  looked  so  much  like  throwing 
up  the  sponge  that  the  boys  of  Company  B  were 
greatly  crestfallen,  and  none  more  so  than  the 
spunky  Malia,  at  my  seeming  unwillingness  to  test 
the  question  to  a  conclusion.  Notwithstanding 
this  fact,  it  was  my  intention  to  submit  gracefully 
to  the  humiliation  attaching  to  my  offer  to  cease 
boxing,  but  the  captain  appeared  to  look  upon 
my  request  in  the  same  light  as  did  the  men,  and 
persuasively  invited  me  to  continue.  His  over- 
confident air  decided  me,  and  I  agreed,  remarkino 
that  I  construed  his  invitation  to  mean  "busi- 
ness." 

The  sparring  after  this  was  sharp  and  effective, 
terminating  rather  suddenly  when  the  glove  on 
my  right  hand  came  into  too  forcible  contact  with 
my  opponent's  nose,  staggering  him  badly  and 
causing  the  claret  to  flow  freely.  This  ended  it 
by  mutual  consent,  for  in  truth  I  felt  more  dis- 
gusted than  elated  at  my  performance ;  however, 
I  presume  our  boys  felt  differendy,  owing  to  the 
before-mentioned  rivalry. 

On  November  5,  1863,  our  command  broke 
camp  at  Mechanicsburg  Gap  and  departed  under 
marching  orders  for  Springfield,  Virginia.  On  the 
25th  of  the  same  month  Companies  B  and  C,  with 


140  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

the  writer  In  command,  received  orders  to  report 
for  detached  duty  at  Alpine,  Virginia,  a  small  sta- 
tion on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  opposite 
Hancock,  Maryland,  and  divided  from  that  place 
by  the  Potomac  river. 

We  arrived  at  Alpine  on  the  following  day,  and 
found  that,  owing  to  Its  situation,  the  war  had 
made  It  a  most  Important  post,  and  one  devolving 
upon  Its  commandant,  In  the  discharge  of  his 
duties,  a  heavy  responsibility.  Company  C  of 
our  regiment  had  at  one  time  been  on  duty  here, 
but  for  some  time  previous  to  our  arrival  a  com- 
pany of  cavalry  had  occupied  the  post. 

Colonel  McCaslin  (15th  West  Virginia)  had 
been  for  some  time  before  our  assio^nment  to 
Alpine  the  recipient  of  many  complaints  from  the 
citizens  of  the  place  and  the  officers  of  the  rail- 
road company,  whose  line  ran  through  It,  charg- 
ing that  a  serious  lack  of  discipline  existed  among 
the  soldiers  detailed  to  guard  the  post,  and  he 
had  now  decided  to  make  a  complete  change  of 
commandants  and  men  at  Alpine.  Companies  B 
and  C  were,  as  I  have  stated,  placed  under  my 
command,  and  we  were  soon  ordered  to  our  new 
quarters  ;  the  latter  company  would,  the  colonel 
feared,  be  likely  to  cause  me  considerable  trouble, 
as  they  had,  he  said,  contracted  some  loose  and 
vicious  habits  while  on  duty  at  this  station  before. 
I  assured  the  colonel  that  I  would  do  the  very 
best  I  could  to  enforce  a  proper  discipline  among 
the  men  of  both  companies. 


APPOINTED    PROVOST-MARSHAL.  I4I 

In  this  connection,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  be 
able  to  state  that  my  conduct  of  affairs  at  Alpine 
met  with  not  only  the  entire  approbation  of  my 
immediate  superior,  but  later  also  with  that  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  with  whom  I  had  the  honor  of 
a  personal  correspondence  relative  to  the  at- 
tempted passage  of  goods  contraband  of  war 
across  the  river  at  this  point,  and  who,  in  recog- 
nition of  the  honesty  and  zeal  displayed  in  putting 
a  stop  to  this  illegal  traffic,  and  as  a  further  means 
of  its  prevention,  increased  my  powers  by  ap- 
pointing me  a  provost-marshal  during  the  time  of 
my  stay  at  Alpine. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Preparing  Winter  Quarters — Smuggling  by  Civilians — Vicious 
Practices  by  the  Troops — Attempts  at  Intimidation  by  Some 
Members  of  Company  C — Charges  Preferred  Against  me  by  the 

Malcontents. 

On  arriving  at  our  new  post  we  found  the 
weather  very  inclement,  and  as  army  tents  would 
afford  poor  shelter  for  the  troops  during-  the  com- 
ing winter — for  which  length  of  time  we  expected 
to  remain — a  rough  plan  of  our  encampment  was 
made  out,  with  a  parade-ground  running  through 
its  centre,  on  both  sides  of  which,  for  a  good  dis- 
tance, were  erected  by  the  men  a  number  of  log- 
huts,  well  plastered  with  mud,  and  provided  with 
large  fire-places,  except  in  a  few  instances  in 
which  old  stoves  were  utilized.  By  such  means 
the  men  were  made  comfortable  durinof  the 
months  of  intensely  cold  weather  that  followed. 

The  thriving  little  city  of  Hancock,  just  across 

the    river,    with    its    many    stores    and    licensed 

saloons,  together  with  the  close  proximity  of  the 

railroad  to  our  camp,  afforded  the  soldiers  unusual 

opportunities  for  stealing  away  unknown  to  their 

officers,  and  indulging  in  many  wild  orgies.     The 

post  was  also  a  transfer-point  on  the  "underground 

railway  "  between  Maryland  and  Virginia,  where, 
(142) 


A    DIFFICULT    POSITION.  1 43 

before  my  arrival,  large  amounts  of  goods  con- 
traband of  war  were  permitted  to  pass  with  a 
superficial  examination,  or  without  any  inspec- 
tion. 

The  necessity  of  constant  vigilance  on  my  part 
to  prevent  breaches  of  discipline  on  the  one  hand 
and  smuggling  on  the  other  made  the  position  of 
commandant  and  provost-marshal  by  no  means  a 
sinecure.  This  was  especially  true  in  the  first 
respect,  as  in  this  work  I  lacked  the  active  co- 
operation of  a  majority  of  my  subordinate  officers, 
who,  though  sober,  moral,  and  passively  obedient, 
yet  connived  at  many  infractions  of  the  rules  of 
camp  discipline. 

Another  source  of  annovance  and  indienation 
to  me  was  the  attempted  continuance  by  some  of 
the  men  of  the  policy  of  my  predecessor  in  charge 
here,  who  had  permitted  his  troops  to  rob,  harass, 
and  terrorize  the  citizens  of  Hancock,  a  majority 
of  whom  were  supposed  to  entertain  Southern 
proclivities.  Of  the  truth  or- falsity  of  this  suppo^ 
sition  I  had  no  direct  evidence.  But  without  the 
commission  of  some  overt  act  on  their  part, 
showing  that  their  hearts  were  really  In  sympathy 
with  the  now  "  lost  cause,"  I  did  not  feel  justified, 
nor  could  any  true  soldier.  In  permitting  the 
further  pillaging  of  their  homes,  and  therefore  I 
put  a  peremptory  and  final  stop  to  it. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  extremes  to  which  this 
wantonness  was  allowed  to  extend  during  the 


144  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

period  prior  to  our  arrival,  I  learned  from  an  old 
gentleman  named  Murray,  who  had  at  that  time 
been  for  seven  years  successively  mayor  of  Han- 
cock, and  who  was  a  man  of  undoubted  veracity, 
that  during-  the  time  mentioned  he  was  powerless 
to  protect  the  lives  and  property  of  his  people, 
and  that  he  remained  in  constant  dread  of  the 
taking  of  his  own  life  by  our  drunken  soldiers. 

While  determined  to  prevent  any  further  un- 
licensed liberty  on  the  part  of  the  soldiers,  I  still 
wished  to  allow  them  all  the  privileges  compatible 
with  good  order  and  discipline  to  which  they  were 
at  all  entitled.  In  order  to  avoid  the  suspicion 
of  favoritism  in  dispensing  such  privileges,  I  had 
prepared  a  blank  book,  with  alternate  pages  for 
each  company,  wherein  should  be  entered  the 
number  and  kind  of  permits,  or  "leaves,"  gVanted, 
such  favors  to  be  equally  divided. 

Notwithstanding  this  and  other  means  adopted 
by  me  to  treat  all  fairly,  I  early  began  to  notice 
signs  of  a  sullen  determination  among  the  men 
of  Company  C  to  resist  my  authority.  The  cap- 
tain of  this  demoralized  command  (which,  by  the 
way,  afterwards  became  a  good  and  efficient  body 
of  troops)  was  named  James  Devore.  He  was  a 
good-natured,  good-looking  young  man,  a  fair 
amateur  musician,  very  fond  of  the  society  of 
ladies,  and  an  accomplished  dancer.  He  visited 
Hancock  almost  nightly,  as  did  a  majority  of  his 
men,  in  pursuit  of  these  pleasures. 


MISSED    THE    BOAT.  1 45  * 


On  one  occasion  this  officer  and  a  squad  of  his 
men,  all  bound  for  Hancock,  met  at  the  river 
bank,  and  a  spirited  scuffle  ensued  for  the  pos- 
session of  the  one  boat  available,  resulting,  greatly 
to  his  discomfiture,  in  the  undignified  captain 
being  left  behind.  Long  indulgence  in  these  and 
similar  habits  of  soldierina-,  caused  the  men  to 
look  upon  my  methods  in  no  very  favorable  light. 
Having,  however,  in  Company  B  a  body  of  men 
who  were  beginning  to  take  a  pride  in  the  prac- 
tice of  true  military  decorum,  I  was  enabled,  after 
one  or  two  conflicts  with  insubordinates,  to  estab- 
lish the  standard  of  discipline  I  had  determined 
to  enforce. 

After  the  failure  of  sundry  attempts  at  intimi- 
dation, the  malcontents  set  about  to  trump  up 
false  charges  against  me,  with  a  view  to  securing 
my  removal  in  that  way.  In  this  they  were  ably 
seconded  by  interested  civilians,  who  had  been 
making  fortunes  by  handling  the  contraband  goods 
that  were  formerly  allowed  to  cross  the  river  at 
this  point.  Together  they  formulated  a  number 
of  charges,  general  and  specific,  which  were 
elaborated  by  a  Colonel  Strother,  of  Berkley 
Springs,  a  scholarly  gentleman,  who  was  then  a 
contributor  to  some  of  the  leading  maeazines  of 
the  country.  The  report  was  quite  voluminous, 
and  well  calculated  to  make  a  strong  impression 
at  general  headquarters,  whither  they  forwarded 
it  without  delay. 


146  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

These  charges  were,  as  was  customary  in  such 
cases,  "  respectfully  referred "  by  the  officials  at 
headquarters  to  the  brigade  commander,  thence 
to  our  regimental  headquarters,  and  by  our  colonel 
to  me.  I  lost  no  time  in  replying,  and  my  answer 
to  the  charges,  specifically  and  as  a  whole,  was 
deemed  so  satisfactory  and  complete  that  my 
action  in  the  premises,  and  my  conduct  generally, 
instead  of  being  questioned  or  rebuked  was  highly 
approved,  and  the  scope  of  my  authority  was 
greatly  enlarged. 

A  few  years  after  the  close  of  the  war,  when  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  whither  I  had  taken  my  youngest 
son  for  medical  treatment,  I  put  up  at  the  house 
of  a  Lieutenant  Pratt,  who,  upon  hearing  my  name, 
remarked  that  he  had  read  in  a  magazine  an 
article  from  the  pen  of  a  Colonel  Strother,  wherein 
that  gentleman  stated  incidentally,  that  on  one 
occasion  during  the  war  he  had  engaged  in  an 
epistolary  controversy  with  an  Irishman,  Captain 
Egan,  in  which  the  latter,  with  genuine  Irish  pug- 
nacity, had  returned  his  assault  with  compound 
interest. 

The  colonel  doubtless  had  reference  to  the 
Alpine  charges. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Arrest  of  a  Lady  Spy— Her  Indignation  Thereat— Searching 
HER— The  Result— Badly  Beaten — Sending  her  to  Head- 
quarters. 

A  FEW  days  after  this  latest  attempt  by  the 
boys  to  remove  their  obnoxious  commander,  I 
happened  to  be  some  distance  from  our  quarters 
visiting  a  picket  post  on  the  Potomac.  It  was 
about  noon-time,  and  as  I  started  to  return  I  saw 
a  two-horse  carriage  coming  hurriedly  down  the 
river  bank  in  the  direction  of  the  ferry-landing, 
evidently  bent  upon  crossing  to  the  Maryland 
side.  The  team  and  conveyance  were  very  much 
mud-bespattered,  showing  unmistakable  signs  of 
a  long  and  hard  drive.  I  approached  and  halted 
the  driver,  a  smart-looking  young  fellow,  and 
seemingly  an  expert  with  the  ^'ribbons." 

I  was  beside  the  head  of  one  of  the  horses 
when  the  carriage,  which  was  closely  covered, 
came  to  an  abrupt  stop,  and  the  face  of  its  sole 
occupant  peered  cautiously  from  behind  one  of 
the  curtains.  A  glance  at  the  face  proved  it  one 
that  could  scarcely  fail  in  making  a  strong  im- 
pression upon  the  beholder;  beauty  of  a  high 
type,  intellectuality  in  a  marked  degree,  and  un- 

(147) 


148  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

doubted  refinement  were  seemingly  stamped  on 
every  feature,  while  handsome  dark  eyes  flashed 
indignantly  from  beneath  a  crown  of  raven-black 
hair,  artistically  curled  and  arranged  in  the  fashion 
then  prevailing.  That  this  was  a  lady,  and  evi- 
dently a  highly  accomplished  one,  that  I  now 
confronted  would  have  been  apparent  to  tne 
most  obtuse. 

I  was  attired  in  a  loose-fitting  blouse,  without 
shoulder-straps  or  insignia  of  rank,  and  as  the 
lady  surveyed  me  with  a  look  in  which  hauteur 
and  entreaty  were  equally  blended,  I  could  not 
help  doubting  for  a  moment  the  propriety  of  sub- 
jecting such  a  beautiful  and  aristocratic  looking 
female  to  the  degrading  humiliation  of  an  inquisi- 
torial and  personal  examination. 

Failing  to  overawe  me  by  her  imperious  gaze, 
and  seeing  that  I  did  not  relinquish  my  hold  of 
the  horse's  head,  the  fair  one  changed  her  man- 
ner, and  with  a  most  bewitching  smile  and  a 
superb  air  of  patronage  said: 

"  Please  do  not  detain  m.e,  sir ;  I  have  had  a 
long  and  rough  ride  this  morning,  and  am  very 
tired  and  hungry,  and  in  a  hurry  to  reach  Hancock 
in  time  for  dinner,  of  which  I  stand  much  in  need." 

"  Madame,"  I  politely  replied,  *'  it  is  my  duty 
(an  unpleasant  one,  I  assure  you,  in  this  Instance) 
to  carefully  examine  all  goods  and  persons  that 
attempt  to  cross  the  river  at  this  point;  if  all  is 
right  in  your  case  I  shall  not  detain  you  long." 


AN    ANGRY    WOMAN.  1 49 

"Why,  sir,"  said  the  lady,  with  rising  indigna- 
tion, "we  have  just  been  forced  to  submit  to  the 
closest  possible  scrutiny  by  the  intelligent  ofllcers 
at  the  last  post  we  passed,  and  their  examina- 
tion— most  carefully  made — resulted  in  our  being 
allowed  to  continue  our  journey."  She  paused  a 
moment  for  a  reply. 

"  Your  persistency  in  detaining  me  now,  in  the 
face  of  what  I  have  just  told  you,"  continued  the 
angry  woman,  "is  wholly  unnecessary  and  ex- 
tremely annoying.  Your  superior,  when  your 
action  in  my  case  reaches  his  ears,  will  not  feel, 
I  assure  you,  very  highly  pleased  at  the  over- 
zealous  stupidity  of  his  subordinate  at  Alpine.  I 
tell  you  this,  sir,  because  you  may  discover,  in 
the  near  future,  that  it  would  have  been  to  your 
best  interest  to  have  foregone  your  present  inten- 
tion of  subjecting  me  to  this  indignity." 

My  reply  was  that  I  had  no  wish  to  embarrass 
her  in  the  slightest;  but  that  my  duty  was  quite 
plain  in  such  cases  as  the  present  one,  and  that 
she  would  have  to  come  back  to  our  camp 
with  me. 

As  a  last  attempt  to  escape  this  ordeal,  and  In 
a  tone  of  mingled  menace  and  reproach,  the  lady 
concluded :  "  I  have  kind  and  influential  friends 
in  the  Union  service  who  v/ill  hold  you  to  a  strict 
accountability  for  my  ill-treatment  to-day.  Every 
intelligent  soldier,"  asserted  the  irate  female 
scornfully,  "either  knows  or   has   heard   of  the 


150  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

famous  'Fighting  Parson'  Moody,  of  Ohio;  that 
gentleman  and  patriot  is  my  brother-in-law." 

The  names  of  a  number  of  other  gentlemen, 
prominent  in  State  and  army  circles,  were  fur- 
nished me  in  quick  succession  by  the  excited 
lady,  whose  volubility  proved  her  an  adept  in  the 
use  of  the  English  language,  and  explained,  to 
my  mind,  how  she  had  succeeded  so  admirably  in 
escaping  detention  and  discovery  earlier  on  her 
journey. 

I  ordered  the  driver  to  wheel  about  his  team 
and  drive  to  the  post,  which  he  reluctandy  did. 

The  lady's  nervousness  was  now  quite  appar- 
ent, and  as  we  approached  the  camp  she  several 
times  tried  to  encraore  the  driver's  attention  and 
tell  him  something ;  but  I  kept  so  near  the  win- 
dow of  her  carriage  and  such  a  close  watch  upon 
their  movements  that  she  failed  to  do  so.  I  con- 
ducted them  direct  to  my  own  quarters,  a  large 
roomy  brick-house  in  about  the  centre  of  the 
village.  Arrived  at  the  house,  I  turned  over  the 
man  and  his  team  to  a  guard,  and  then  proceeded, 
without  ceremony,  to  make  an  inspection  of  the 
lady's  baggage.  I  soon  found  a  number  of  letters, 
accompanied  by  several  watches  and  other  trin- 
kets, from  rebel  officers  in  the  field  to  their 
friends  in  Maryland,  and  also  a  diary  containing 
mention  of  dates  of  interviews  with  no  less  per- 
sonages than  Jefferson  Davis,  Generals  Lee, 
Braxton  Bragg,  and  others  of  similar  rank. 


SEARCHING    THE    SPY.  I5I 

Findlnof  so  much,  I  was  now  convinced  that 
Mrs.  Moody  must  have  concealed  upon  her  per- 
son, where  shrewd  female  spies  know  best  to 
conceal  them,  documents  far  more  important 
than  any  that  had  yet  come  to  light.  I  there- 
upon intrusted  the  delicate  duty  of  searching  the 
spy  to  my  wife  and  two  other  ladies,  wives  of  two 
of  my  men,  who  were  then  upon  a  visit  to  their 
husbands.  I  instructed  these  ladies  to  make  a 
careful  search  of  the  person  of  the  spy,  who, 
notwithstanding  all  her  tact  and  coolness,  was 
beginning  to  show,  in  her  nervous  excitement, 
conclusive  signs  of  the  importance  of  this  con- 
templated personal  scrutiny.  She  kept  restlessly 
pacing  up  and  down  the  large  room  to  which  she 
had  been  taken.  It  contained  in  one  end  a 
heating-stove  wherein  a  glowing  fire  was  burn- 
ing. It  was  noticed  that  her  walk  was  always  in 
the  direction  of  this  stove.  When  the  ladies  were 
all  ready  to  begin  I  walked  out  of  the  room,  at 
the  same  time  telling  them  to  proceed  with  their 
search. 

When  I  was  gone  they  attempted  to  do  their 

assigned  duty,  but  the  resolute  Mrs.  Moody  was 

too  sharp  for  our  timid  ladies,  who,  if  the  truth 

must  be  told,  by  no  means  liked  the  task.     I  had 

hardly  left  the  room  before  I  heard    a    startled 

scream  from  within.     Hastily  returning,  I  found 

that  the  spy  had  just  taken  from  her  bosom  a 

large  packet  of  letters,  and  walking  deliberately  to 
10 


152  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

the  stove  and  throwing  open  the  door,  had,  while 
the  soldiers'  wives  looked  helplessly  on,  consigned 
the  incriminating  bundle  to  the  liames,  leaving 
nothing  to  tell  the  tale  of  that  which  might  have 
compromised  her  life,  and  throw-n  much  light  on 
the  mysteries  of  the  rebel  secret  service. 

The  beautiful  spy  was  now  a  changed  woman. 
Satisfied  that  the  evidence  of  her  guilt  could  no 
longer  be  obtained,  she  looked  at  us  with  a  calm 
air  of  serene  defiance,  and  made  not  the  slightest 
effort  to  conceal  the  pleasure  my  palpable  dis- 
comfiture gave  her. 

As  may  be  judged,  I  was  anything  but  pleased 
at  this  unexpected  and  annoying  ending  of  what 
I  felt  satisfied  was  an  Important  capture.  Had  I 
been  less  observant  of  the  duty  which  all  men  ow^e 
to  the  gentler  sex,  I  should  not  have  been  thus  out- 
generaled by  this  lady,  whose  calling  rightly  ex- 
posed her  to  the  imposition  of  indignities  at  once 
degrading  to  herself  and  her  sex. 

I  made  a  statement  of  the  case,  which  I  en- 
closed, together  with  the  papers  found  in  her  bag- 
gage, to  General  Schenck,  department  com- 
mander. These,  with  the  lady,  I  sent  by  an 
armed  escort  to  the  general's  headquarters. 

This  was  the  last  I  ever  heard  of  Mrs.  Moody. 
Whether  this  name  was  real  or  assumed  I  never 
learned. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Attempt  to  Pass  Contraband  Goods — In  Command  of  the  Regi- 
ment— An  Attack  that  did  not  Materialize — How  we  Re- 
treated. 

A  DAY  or  two  after  the  incident  just  narrated 
a  well-dressed  elderly  gentleman,  of  fine  appear- 
ance and  aristocratic  bearing,  presented  himself 
at  our  quarters  and  applied  for  a  permit  to  pass 
two  large  trunks  containing  a  quantity  of  rich  dry- 
goods  and  fine  dress  suitings.  He  stated  that  he 
was  a  resident  of  Richmond,  Va.  ;  that  he  had 
relations  living  in  the  city  of  New  York,  where 
he  had  just  been  to  purchase  the  several  hundred 
dollars  worth  of  eoods  contained  in  the  trunks. 
These  goods,  he  said,  were  intended  solely  for 
his  own  and  his  family  use.  He  claimed  to  be 
as  neutral  on  the  issue  of  the  war  as  it  was 
possible  for  any  one  to  be  and  live  in  Richmond. 

His  manner  throuofhout  was  straiorhtforvvard, 
and  his  story  to  my  mind  bore  the  impress  of 
truth;  but  I  told  him  that  while  I  entertained  no 
reasonable  doubt  of  the  correctness  of  his  state- 
ments I  could  not,  consistently  with  my  duty, 
permit  goods  of  such  a  character  and  value  to 
pass.     I  gave  him  to  understand,  however,  that 

(153) 


154  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

if  he  would  procure  an  order  from  my  colonel, 
or  a  higher  authority,  I  would  not  offer  any  further 
objection  to  the  desired  privilege.  The  gentle- 
man accordingly  went  to  the  headquarters  of  our 
regiment,  at  Sir  John's  Run,  and  had  a  long  talk 
with  our  colonel ;  but  that  officer  refused  to  in- 
terfere, as  he  stated,  in  a  duty  he  thought  me 
so  competent  to  discharge. 

Upon  his  return,  the  old  gentleman  reported 
what  the  colonel  had  said,  and  seeing  the  dis- 
cretionary power  I  was  permitted  to  exercise, 
renewed  his  request  that  he  and  his  goods  be  al- 
lowed to  pass ;  but  I  was  obdurate,  and  so  he 
left.  Some  days  later  he  again  appeared  bear- 
ing a  letter  from  Secretary  of  War  E.  M.  Stanton, 
addressed  to  me,  as  provost-marshal,  instructing 
me  to  permit  the  bearer  of  the  communication, 
with  his  trunks,  to  pass  over  to  Maryland.  This 
letter  I  have  mislaid,  and  the  gentleman's  name 
has  escaped  my  memory. 

On  December  8,  1863,  I  was  ordered  to  head- 
quarters to  assume  temporary  command  of  the 
regiment,  during  the  absence  of  the  colonel,  who 
had  been  called  to  the  command  of  the  brigade. 
On  the  day  following  my  arrival,  acting  on  in- 
formation received,  I  ordered  fifty  men  to  Bath, 
Va.,  to  prevent  a  threatened  interruption  by  the 
rebels  of  the  proceedings  of  the  United  States 
Circuit  Court,  then  in  session  at  that  place.  I 
accompanied  and  took  personal  charge  of  the 


A   NIGHT    ALARM.  155 

little  force,  and  had  them  quietly  secreted  in 
proper  position,  in  a  strip  of  woods  adjacent 
to,  and  commanding  a  complete  range  of  the 
buildings  in  which  the  business  of  the  court  was 
conducted.  My  information,  from  an  apparently 
reliable  source,  was  to  the  effect  that  the  enemy, 
with  a  larger  force  than  ours,  under  a  Major  Far- 
rell,  was  less  than  two  miles  distant  from  us  at  the 
time. 

What  may  have  restrained  him  from  his 
threatened  project  I  cannot  say,  but  he  did  not 
interrupt  the  court  during  its  sitting.  We  re- 
mained at  Bath  (or  Berkeley  Springs)  undl  the 
12th,  without  anything  of  note  transpiring;  then 
the  court  and  the  troops  departed  for  their 
respective  stations. 

On  the  13th,  when  back  at  Alpine,  we  were 
startled  about  1 1.30  o'clock  p.  m.  by  a  report  that 
the  enemy  was  approaching  rapidly  from  the 
direction  of  Bath,  for  the  purpose  of  making  a 
night  attack  on  us.  Soon  our  little  encampment 
was  in  commotion.  As  a  first  step,  I  at  once 
ordered  out  a  squad  of  skirmishers  in  the  direction 
of  the  enemy's  expected  approach.  By  this  time 
all  were  under  arms  and  ready  for  orders.  Find- 
ing them  thus  prepared,  I  called  the  officers 
together,  and  we  held  a  miniature  council  of  war. 
Every  one  present  either  suggested  or  strongly 
counselled  an  immediate  retreat  across  the  river 
to  Hancock.     This  could  have  been  quickly  and 


156  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

safely  accomplished  by  means  of  the  ferry-boat 
then  moored  to  the  Virginia  shore  and  lying  at 
our  feet. 

I  ordered  the  two  companies  Into  line  imme- 
diately;  but,  instead  of  turning  our  backs  to  the 
expected  enemy,  we  faced  them.  Then  I  briefly 
explained  my  intentions,  which  were  to  march  out 
the  Bath  road,  the  only  practicable  approach  to 
our  camp  for  the  attacking  party,  to  deploy  our- 
selves In  a  small  woods  bordering  the  road,  and 
there  prepare  to  give  the  expected  comers  a  warm 
reception  in  a  night  surprise,  when  they  should 
come  within  easy  range  of  our  muskets.  Leaving 
an  officer  in  charge  of  a  small  squad  of  men  to 
guard  the  quarters,  I  gave  the  word  to  "forward 
march,"  and  we  silently  departed  to  meet  the  foe 
at  least  half  way.  Arrived  at  the  point  intended, 
the  men  were  noiselessly  disposed  of  as  stated, 
and  remained  on  watch  until  morning,  when  we 
fell  back  quietly  to  Alpine. 

This  is  the  manner,  dear  reader,  in  which  we 
retreated  to  *'  Maryland,  my  Maryland.** 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Ordered  to  Prepare  for  Active  Service — The  Kanawha  Val- 
ley— Camp  Piatt — On  the  March  Again — Painter's  Creek— 
Fayettesville — Other  Points — Battle  of  Cloyd  Mountain — - 
Action  of  Company  B — Individual  Mention — An  Extract  from 
THE  State  Adjutant's  Report — Misstatements  Corrected  —The 
Artillery  Duel — Burning  of  New  River  Bridge — How  and  by 
Whom  Accomplished — Accepted  History  Disputed. 

In  April,  1864,  our  regiment  received  orders  to 
prepare  for  active  service,  and  we  were  shortly 
ordered  to  the  Kanawha  Valley,  and  assigned  to 
the  command  of  General  George  Crook. 

About  this  time  our  worthy  and  respected 
colonel,  M.  McCaslIn,  who  was  not  less  than 
sixty-five  years  old,  and  who  was  by  no  means  fit 
for  the  privations  of  a  hard  campaign,  was  taken 
sick,  and  compelled  in  consequence  to  remain 
behind.  Four  or  five  months  later  he  resigned 
the  command  of  the  regiment,  which  then  devolved 
upon  the  gallant  Colonel  Thomas  N.  Morris,  the 
pride  and  beloved  of  his  regiment,  who  was  after- 
wards killed  in  action  at  Snicker's  Ferry,  Virginia, 
July  18,  1864,  while  bravely  leading  his  regi- 
ment. 

After  remaining  a  short  time  at  Camp  Piatt, 
Kanawha  Valley,  we  moved  from  there  under 
ordf-rs  for  Gauley  Bridge  on  the  30th  of  April,  and 


158  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

on  that  date  marched  seventeen  miles,  encamping 
in  the  evening  on  the  southeast  side  of  Painter's 
creek,  amidst  a  drenching  rain.  The  prospect  of 
lying  down  on  the  thoroughly  water-soaked  earth 
was  not  the  most  pleasant  of  contemplation,  but 
it  could  not  be  avoided.  Near  to  our  encampment 
that  night  was  a  field  of  about  ten  acres,  very 
nicely  inclosed  by  a  high  board  fence.  In  about 
five  minutes  after  our  arrival  the  whole  of  this 
fence  disappeared  In  one  loud  crash.  Almost 
the  entire  command  assisted  in  its  demolition. 
Soon  there  were  many  pleasant  fires,  and  over 
their  cheerful  blaze  coiTee-pots,  tin-cups,  and  frying- 
pans  were  doing  good  service.  Although  these 
fires  were  an  undoubted  actual  necessity  I  did  not 
enjoy  their  warmth  very  much;  it  was  too  pain- 
fully expensive  to  the  poor  farmer. 

On  May  2  we  arrived  at  Fayettesville,  Fayette 
county.  West  Virginia,  where  the  three  brigades 
of  this  division  were  united.  The  entire  force 
then  marched  on  the  now  celebrated  "Dublin 
raid."  Our  encampments  after  marches  for  the 
five  days  preceding  the  engagement  at  Cioyd 
mountain  (one  of  the  most  destructive  battles  of 
the  war,  for  the  time  and  number  of  troops 
engaged,  and  which  occurred  on  May  9)  were  as 
follows : 

May  4 Camp  at  Loup's  Creek,  Fayette  county,  W.  Va. 

*'      5 "      "  Mercer,  Mercer  county,  W.  Va. 

"     6 "      "  Princeton,  Mercer  county,  W.  Va. 


BATTLE    OF    FLOYD    MOUNTAIN.  1 59 

May  7 Camp  at  south  of  Rocky  Gap,  Bland  county,  W.  Va. 

"      8 "      "  Shannon,  Giles  county,  W.  Va. 

At  the  last-named  place,  and  when  In  near 
proximity  to  the  enemy,  I  was  detailed  as  officer 
of  the  guard  to  post  and  visit  the  night  pickets. 
It  is  needless  to  say  that  I  got  no  sleep  that  night. 
Early  next  morning,  when  I  had  drawn  off  my 
pickets  and  was  following  in  the  rear  of  the  entire 
command,  we  heard  the  music  of  the  contending 
forces  in  our  front.  We  thereupon  quickened 
our  pace  and  soon  came  up  with  the  main  body, 
which  was  now  halted  at  the  foot  of  Cloyd  moun- 
tain, where  it  remained  for  some  time,  finding  it 
very  difficult  to  advance  farther,  owing  to  the 
sharpshooting  of  the  enemy's  skirmishers,  who 
lined  the  woods  for  a  good  distance  at  the  base 
of  the  mountain,  and  kept  up  a  galling  fire  upon 
our  forces. 

Several  companies  of  our  command  had  already 
been  sent  forward  to  dislodge  and  drive  back  the 
rebel  skirmishers,  but  they  offered  a  doofored  re- 
sistance,  and  for  quite  a  long  time  we  remained 
halted  awaiting  the  result  of  the  conflict  between 
the  sharpshooters  of  both  armies. 

Becoming  Impatient  at  the  delay,  General  Sick- 
les, of  the  3d  Brigade,  asked  Colonel  Morris  foi' 
a  good  company  to  do  more  effective  work.  The 
intrepid  Morris  called  on  Company  B.  In  answer 
to  this  call,  the  column  opened  and  we  marched 
from  the  rear  to  the  extreme  front,  and  while  pass- 


l60  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

ing  the  15th  Regiment,  our  comrades  of  that  com* 
mand  had  many  warm  greetings  and  words  of 
encouragement  for  us.  "Bully  for  Company  B; 
bully  for  Company  B,"  was  often  repeated  as  we 
pressed  forward. 

When  some  distance  in  advance  of  the  main 
body  we  were  halted  by  the  colonel,  who  placed 
me  in  charge  of  the  entire  skirmish  line,  and  in- 
structed me  in  what  he  wanted  us  to  do.  We  then 
filed  to  the  rieht  of  the  road  and  into  the  woods, 
facing  the  enemy's  skirmishers,  who  were  occu- 
pying a  high  ground  in  our  front.  While  en- 
gaged in  deploying  my  men  in  a  somewhat  open 
space  at  the  edge  of  the  woods,  the  officer  in 
command  of  Company  E  of  our  regiment,  who 
had  been  sent  forward  earlier  and  who  was  now 
about  one  hundred  yards  in  advance,  lying  down 
protected  by  a  ledge  of  rocks,  called  out  warn- 
ingly  to  me  that  we  were  in  a  bad  place.  We 
soon  discovered  the  correctness  of  his  statement, 
in  the  whizzineof  cold  lead  about  our  heads  ;  one 
of  which  swift  messengers  passed  through  the 
whiskers  of  Corporal  John  Laurell,  cutting  a  wide 
swath  of  hair  therefrom  and  grazing  his  jaw, 
whereupon  the  litde  fellow  coolly  remarked:  "I 
did  not  intend  to  shave  until  the  war  was  over, 
but  these  pesky  'Johnnies'  appear  determined  to 
do  it  for  me  sooner." 

I  now  ordered,  "  Company,  by  the  right  to  four 
yards,   extend    intervals."      When    the    required 


HEROES    IN    THE    RANKS.  l6l 

distance  was  effected,  I  commanded  :  "  Skirmish- 
ers, halt;"  and  a  second  later:  "To  the  front, 
march." 

And  that  line  never  halted  until  we  brought  on 
a  general  engagement,  by  forcing  back  the  enemy's 
skirmishers,  with  increasing  rapidity  as  we  ad- 
vanced. 

The  heroic  conduct  of  Corporal  James  F.  Ellis 
on  this  occasion,  as  well  as  in  every  engagement 
in  which  he  participated  until  he  was  captured  by 
the  enemy — and  from  which  captivity  I  am  sorry 
to  say  he  never  returned — was,  for  cool,  unosten- 
tatious, silent  bravery,  equal  to  anything  done  in 
all  our  great  army. 

It  is  hardly  fair,  perhaps,  to  mention  two  or 
three  names  in  particular,  belonging  to  a  com- 
pany in  which  there  were  so  many  of  conspicuous 
merit,  but  I  cannot  refrain  from  volunteering  my 
humble  testimony  to  the  sterling  worth  and 
bravery  of  Sergeant  Lawrence  May,  a  German ; 
Corporal  James  F.  Ellis,  an  American,  and  Cor- 
poral Thomas  Brown,  an  Irish  "  Kerry  game-bird," 
whose  respective  qualities  and  attainments — I  say 
it  advisedly — would  reflect  no  discredit  on  the  two 
stars  of  a  major-general,  although  each  was  con; 
tent  to  do  his  full  duty  in  the  humble  position  he 
occupied.  May  was  especially  useful  to  me  ;  he 
had  fought  "  mit  Sigel "  in  the  old  country,  and 
was  the  best  assistant  I  had  in  the  company. 

After  the  enemy's  skirmishers  were  all  driven 


1 62  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

in  on  his  main  body,  we  rejoined  our  regiment, 
now  supporting  a  battery  of  light  artillery,  which 
had  just  been  brought  into  position  within  about 
two  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy  and  right  in  his 
front.  Had  the  gallant  9th  West  Virginia,  under 
the  lead  of  the  intrepid  Duval,  delayed  charging 
the  enemy  a  few  minutes  longer,  or  until  this 
magnificent  little  battery  could  have  been  trained 
on  him,  he  would  have  had  to  get  from  behind  his 
cheval-de-finse  in  short  order ;  and  the  9th  would 
have  been  saved  many  noble  lives  in  conse- 
quence. 

The  battle  that  ensued  was  one  of  the  most 
destructive  of  the  war,  considering  the  time  occu- 
pied and  the  numbers  of  the  forces  engaged. 
The  general  engagement  did  not  last  over  forty 
minutes,  and  only  about  eight  thousand  men  on 
both  sides  participated,  but  our  losses  included 
about  600  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  enemy 
lost,  perhaps,  about  400.  It  has  ever  since  been 
a  wonder  to  me  that  the  proportion  of  fallen  com- 
batants did  not  exceed  one  in  ei^-ht  of  the  whole 
number  engaged. 

The  rebels  had  an  advantage  in  the  fight,  being 
protected  by  breastworks  constructed  of  logs  and 
fence  rails.  The  fight  was  continued  at  a  most 
destructive  range,  as  the  space  dividing  the  con- 
tending forces  did  not  at  any  time  exceed  a  dis- 
tance of  two  hundred  yards.  This  sort  of  des- 
perate fighting  could  not  last  long,  and  so,  when 


VICTORY.  I  e^ 

the  gallant  9th  West  Virginia  charged  the  enemy, 
who  fought  with  admirable  bravery,  they  had  to 
yield,  and  that,  too,  in  a  hurry,  before  the  impet- 
uous charge  and  wild  yells  of  the  "  boys  in  blue." 
We  had  only  a  small  detachment  of  cavalry, 
but  they  dashed  after  the  rapidly  retreating  enemy 
and  pursued  them  vigorously  until  stopped  by 
some  of  Morgan's  men,  who  reinforced  and  cov- 
ered the  rebels'  retreat  to  Dublin  Depot.  By  the 
time  our  forces  got  into  proper  shape  and  moved 
forward  in  a  solid  line  of  batde,  the  enemy  had 
made  good  his  escape.  When  we  reached  Dublin 
Depot,  we  found  very  litde  of  value  there.  It 
now  being  near  night,  we  fell  back  from  the  rail- 
road a  short  distance  and  encamped  in  close 
quarters  on  a  large  farm. 

The  following  is  the  published  report  of  State 
Adjutant-General  E.  P.  Pierpont,  upon  the  subject 
of  the  Qth's  action  in  this  engagement : 

"The  9th  Regiment  from  this  point  marched 
with  General  Crook's  command  to  the  Virginia 
and  Tennessee  Railroad,  striking  the  road  at 
Dublin,  May  9th,  meeting  a  strong  rebel  force 
under  command  of  General  Jenkins,  at  Cloyd 
Mountain,  four  miles  from  the  railroad,  and  after 
a  desperate  batde  defeated  him;  marched  and 
took  possession  of  the  railroad  at  Dublin  depot, 
same  evening.  This  regiment,  in  this  batde,  car- 
ried the  rebel  breastworks  with  bayonets,  killing 
and  wounding  about  600  rebels  and  capturing  over 


1 64  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

200  prisoners,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  losing 
189  men,  45  of  whom  were  killed  instantly.  The 
color-bearer,  guard,  and  Colonel  Duval,  eleven  in 
all,  mounted  the  works  a  short  distance  in  advance 
of  the  line,  every  one  of  whom  was  killed  or 
wounded,  except  Colonel  Duval.  Twenty-one 
men  w^ere  killed  under  and  around  the  colors  of 
this  regiment,  nine  of  the  regiment  and  twelve 
rebels,  the  enemy  having  made  a  desperate  effort 
to  capture  them. 

"In  this  battle  the  rebel  General  Jenkins  received 
his  death  wounds,  and  that  too  from  the  same  men 
he  had  captured  and  so  cruelly  treated  at  Guyan- 
dotte,  W.  Va.  On  the  next  day  they  marched  to, 
and  engaged  the  enemy  at  New  River  bridge,  rout- 
ing him  and  destroying  the  bridged 

The  italics  in  the  last  paragraph  are  mine  and 
are  used  because  the  claim  made  therein  for  this 
regiment  by  the  adjutant  is  a  misstatement  which 
I  think,  in  common  justice,  should  be  corrected. 
The  truth  regarding  the  burning  of  that  bridge  is 
as  follows : 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  loth,  the  day  after 
the  Cloyd  Mountain  battle,  while  encamped  oppo- 
site to,  and  near  Dublin  depot,  I  was  ordered  with 
my  company  to  march  towards  New  River  bridge. 
We  moved  out  to  Dublin  depot,  thence  to  the  left, 
down  the  railroad,  and  in  the  direction  of  New 
River. 

On  our  way  down  we  noticed  a  farm-house  some 


HUNTING   A   BREAKFAST.  1 65 

seventy  or  eighty  yards  from  the  road.  The  house 
and  its  surroundings  showed  its  owner  to  be  in 
good  circumstances.  Having  had  no  breakfast 
that  morning,  our  boys  could  not  resist  throwing 
anxious  and  longing  side  glances  at  the  comfort- 
able dwelling.  Presendy  a  badly  scared  negro 
was  noticed  making  a  "shoot"  from  the  direction 
of  the  house,  and  running  for  dear  life  away  from 
us.  I  called  to  him  to  halt,  and  ordered  him  to 
come  over  to  where  we  were.  The  poor  fellow 
came  as  if  going  to  the  gallows,  so  reluctant  and 
apparendy  fearful  was  he.  I  asked  him  a  few 
hurried  questions  as  we  leisurely  walked  along, 
as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the  rebel  army : 

"  Da'ar  done  gone  to  de  bridge,  sah,"  was  his 
reply. 

"Where  is  your  master?" 

"  He  done  gone,  too,  sah,  an'  he  tole  me  to  stop 
an'  mine  de  place,  but  I  got  scared,  sah,  an'  I 
thought  I'd  go  too,"  answered  the  darkey. 

Some  of  the  boys  who  had  been  "  all  ears  ^* 
during  this  brief  dialogue,  and  who  were  decidedly 
more  interested  in  discovering  a  square  meal  than 
the  whereabouts  of  the  enemy,  now  spoke  up,  and 
question  followed  question  in  rapid  succession 
until  they  had  ascertained  from  the  darkey  that 
the  house  contained  "  Ham,  flour,  an'  tings  to  eat 
an'  a  ten-gallon  keg  of  apple  brandy  in  de  cella'." 

We  had  three  corporals  to  whom  I  would  not 
wish  to  refuse  anything  in  reason,  and  so,  when 


1 66  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

they  waited  upon  me  and  united  their  Importuni- 
ties to  be  allowed  to  go  to  the  house  In  question, 
I  consented  after  securing  their  promise  to  be  ex- 
peditious. They  were  so,  and  returned  in  good 
condition  to  participate  prominently  in  the  good 
work  we  had  on  hand  later. 

We  were  now  joined  by  Captain  James  W. 
Myers  and  his  Company  B,  of  the  nth  West 
Virginia ;  all  the  remainder  of  the  troops  being 
out  of  sight  and  fully  a  mile  in  our  rear. 

Soon  General  Crook  and  staff  were  noticed 
coming  up  behind  us  at  a  rapid  canter.  We  filed 
to  the  right  on  high  ground  overlooking  New 
River  bridge,  the  destruction  of  which  was  the 
chief  object  of  the  expedition.  When  within 
plain  view  and  near  range  of  the  two  forts  with 
their  frowning  heavy  artillery,  erected  by  the 
rebels  to  defend  the  bridge,  the  general  called  a 
halt.  Riding  up  to  where  the  skirmishing  com- 
panies were,  he  gave  me  precise  instructions  re- 
garding our  next  move.  He  ordered  me,  In  sub- 
stance, to  assume  command  of  the  two  companies 
and  file  to  the  right  and  left  from  the  summit  of 
the  hill. 

The  fact  of  the  general's  giving  me  command 
of  a  senior  officer  showed  a  mark  of  confidence 
that  was  highly  gratifying,  although  I  confess  to 
feeling  somewhat  diffident  in  exercising  the  power 
granted  me.  However,  the  results  of  our  efforts 
appeared  to  please  the  general  very  much. 


««' 


GENERAL  GEORGE  CROOK.         1 67 

While  In  the  act  of  deploying  skirmishers  the 
enemy's  batteries  opened  on  us  at  a  distance  of 
about  one  thousand  yards.  The  concentrated  fire 
of  the  enemy  seemed  now  to  be  chiefly  directed 
to  the  general  and  his  staff,  who  were  occupying 
the  most  conspicuous  spot  on  the  batde-ground. 
The  concussion  of  a  cannon-ball  very  near  the 
general  had  such  a  sickening  effect  upon  him  that 
he  was  forced  to  dismount  for  a  moment  from 
sheer  weakness.  As  he  did  so,  his  horse,  which 
had  become  frightened,  broke  away  and  dashed 
back  to  the  rear,  slamming  the  saddle-skirts  and 
stirrup-straps  in  his  rapid  flight.  At  the  sight  of 
the  riderless  steed  the  rebels  raised  an  exultant 
yell,  believing  that  they  had  accomplished  the 
death  of  our  gallant  leader;  but  we  thank  God 
they  were  mistaken,  as  was  indubitably  proven 
by  that  noble  officer  in  many  a  hard-contested 
struggle  afterwards. 

In  passing,  I  wish  to  say  that  In  my  opinion 
George  Crook  as  a  general,  In  all  that  that  tide 
implies,  had  few.  If  any,  superiors. 

Word  was  now  sent  to  me  to  try  to  procure  a 
canteen  of  fresh  water  for  the  general.  I  sent 
twice,  in  quick  succession,  for  the  water,  but  it  was 
running  the  gaundet  of  the  enemy's  sharpshooters 
to  get  it,  and  the  two  messengers  returned  empty- 
handed.  Being  an  admitted  good  runner,  espe- 
cially when  under  the  potent  stimulus  of  fear,  I 
took  the  canteen  myself,  and  soon  returned  with 


II 


1 68  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-IIAIRED    YANK. 

some  pure,  clear,  cold  water  for  the  general,  and 
now  our  commander  could  be  seen  bold  and  erect 
in  the  extreme  front  of  his  entire  command,  a 
place    not    very    generally    occupied    by    com- 
manders. 

About  this  time  there  opened  the  nicest  piece 
of  artillery  practice  I  ever  saw.  I  have  seen,  it  is 
true,  greater  precision  and  more  rapid  movements 
in  the  exercises  of  the  English  Flying  Artillery  on 
such  occasions  as  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of 
Waterloo,  but  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  the 
attendant  circumstances  made  such  a  vast  differ- 
ence that  it  would  not  be  fair  to  draw  comparisons. 
Here  Captain  McMuUin,  ist  Ohio  Artillery,  in 
immediate  charge  of  four  pieces,  brought  them 
into  quick  and  effective  action  at  a  time  when  the 
enemy's  artillery  was  directed  towards  him  in  a 
determined  effort  to  spoil  his  movements. 

The  attention  of  our  command  was  attracted 
by  the  execution  of  a  splendid  evolution  by  Mc- 
Mullin.  On  came  the  spirited  horses  at  top  speed, 
under  the  spur  of  their  gallant  riders,  rattling  and 
dashing  right  to  the  front,  and  while  at  this  rapid 
pace  they  described  a  circle  to  the  right,  and  on  a 
declivity  so  steep  and  rough  that  we  thought  it 
marvellous  that  there  were  no  upsettings  or 
collisions.  In  a  moment  they  unlimbered,  and 
then  commenced  what  we  termed  the  artillery 
duel — there  being  none  of  our  infantry  engaged, 
except  the  two  companies,  B  iith  and  B  15th,  in 


BURNING    THE    BRIDGE.  1 69 

my  charge,  lying  directly  in  front  of  our  guns,  and 
consequently  between  two  fires,  the  enemy's  and 
our  own.  Fortunately  we  occupied  low  ground, 
which  fact  no  doubt  was  the  cause  of  so  many  of 
our  number  getting  out  safely.  A  cannon-ball 
during  the  engagement  struck  deep  in  the  ground 
right  in  front  of  me,- stunning  me  severely  for  a 
few  minutes,  but  causing  no  other  injury.  There 
was  some  of  the  most  accurate  and  effective 
artillery  practice  now  by  Captain  McMullin  that 
occurred  at  any  time  or  in  any  engagement  during 
the  late  war.  From  where  we  lay  we  could  see 
the  execution  done  by  our  boys  quite  plainly,  and 
almost  every  shot  had  a  telling  effect.  McMullin 
silenced  tvv^o  of  the  enemy's  guns  in  quick  succes- 
sion while  we  were  driving  back  the  gray  skir- 
mishers. 

An  aide  of  General  Crook's  now  rode  up  to 
me,  and  said  that  whoever  would  burn  the  bridge 
should  be  remembered.  I  ofot  some  matches  from 
one  of  Captain  Myers'  men,  and  moved  for  the 
bridge  immediately.  From  where  I  approached 
the  bridge  it  was  necessary  to  climb  some  ten  or 
twelve  feet  up  one  of  the  abutment  piers  to  reach 
the  bed  of  the  bridge  and  get  upon  it.  The  struc- 
ture was  a  long  wooden  one,  covered  with  a  tin 
roof.  Once  up,  I  broke  off  some  dry  pine  from 
the  side-works,  and  ignited  the  bundle  in  the  west 
end  of  the  bridge.  The  weather  was  dry  and 
warm,  with  a  fresh  breeze  blowing,  and  the  fire 


170  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

caught  quickly  and  spread  rapidly,  and  soon  the 
whole  structure  came  down  with  a  loud  crash  in 
almost  as  short  a  time  as  it  has  taken  me  to  de- 
scribe it. 

The  destruction-of  this  bridge  over  New  river, 
on  the  Virginia  and  Tennessee  railroad,  was  now 
(May  10,  1864)  an  accomplished  fact.  It  being  a 
chief  artery  of  supplies  for  the  rebels,  its  destruc- 
tion was  important.  It  would  take  them  some 
time  to  repair  it  were  it  not  for  the  piers,  which 
were  still  standing  in  almost  perfect  condition, 
affording  rather  too  great  facilities  for  reconstruc- 
tion. Appreciating  this  latter  fact,  I  went  to  the 
general,  and  asked  if  he  had  any  material  for 
blasting  the  piers.  He  replied  that  it  was  the 
intention  to  have  taken  some  explosives  for  this 
purpose,  but  somehow  they  had  been  overlooked. 
He  then  tried  some  solid  shot  on  the  piers  with- 
out effect.  All  of  the  troops  were  then  ordered 
forward,  and  marched  in  the  direction  of  Union, 
except  my  two  companies,  which,  having  had 
nothing  to  eat  that  day,  were  kindly  permitted  by 
the  general  to  remain  behind,  after  admonishing 
us  to  be  careful  and  to  make  as  litde  delay  as 
possible. 

In  the  "  History  of  the  War"  I  find  that  General 
Averell  is  accredited  with  the  burning  of  this 
bridge,  whereas,  in  truth,  he  was  several  miles 
behind  at  the  time  of  its  destruction.  Averell  has 
plenty  of  well-earned  laurels,  and  does  not,  I  am 


SPURIOUS   CLAIMS.  I7I 

sure,  want  those  which  belong  to  others.  Errors 
will  occur,  and  some  omissions  in  ostensibly 
authentic  reports  that  are  hard  to  account  for, 
even  on  the  assumption  of  ignorance  of  the  facts. 

From  time  to  time  since  the  close  of  the  war  I 
have  been  told  of  several  who  claimed  to  have 
burned  this  particular  bridge.  On  one  occasion 
some  years  after  the  war,  I  heard  a  gallant  major 
entertain  a  party  of  friends  with  a  graphic  descrip- 
tion of  the  achievement  as  performed  by  himself 
and  command.  I  was  on  friendly  terms  with  the 
major,  and  so  sparing  of  his  feelings  that  I  re- 
mained silent  on  the  subject.  He  did  not  know, 
nor  could  he  be  expected  to  know,  that  I  was  the 
only  one  in  the  entire  command  that  put  a  foot  on 
that  structure  that  day,  for  he  was  too  far  in  the 
rear  to  witness  the  manner  or  the  instrument  of 
its  destruction.  Furthermore,  the  bridge  could 
not  well  be  injured  without  first  getting  upon  it, 
as  it  was  twelve  or  fourteen  feet  from  the  ground 
upon  which  our  forces  approached. 

In  the  adjutant-general's  report  of  the  15th 
West  Virorinia  there  is  no  mention  made  nor 
notice  taken  of  this  and  other  matters  of  far  more 
importance  with  which  that  regiment  was  con- 
nected. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Company  B  in  Luck — Meeting  with  two  Officers  of  ex-President 
Hayes'  Regiment — A  Pic-nic — Salt  Pond  Mountain — Village 
of  Union — Failure  as  a  Forager — Meadow  Bluffs — Captured 
BY  Guerillas. 

The  weather  on  this  loth  of  May  was  beautiful, 
the  air  warm  and  pleasant,  with  a  refreshing 
breeze  blowing  steadily  from  the  west.  Our  two 
companies,  although  very  hungry,  felt  compari- 
tively  happy ;  they  had  done  their  work  well  and 
received  therefor  the  hearty  approbation  of  their 
noble  general  with  the  unusual  privilege  of  being 
allowed  to  remain  behind  the  entire  command,  in 
order  to  enjoy  one  of  the  most  smnptuous  repasts 
of  all  their  experience  in  the  waf,  and  perhaps, 
in  some  cases,  out  of  it. 

Our  first  move  after  the  departure  of  the  main 

body  was  to  secure  some   of  the  domestic  fowl, 

hams,  flour,  coffee  and  various  other  articles  of 

like  nature,  which  the  enemy  had  considerately 

neglected  to  remove  from  his  block-house,  before 

his    hurried  flight.       Such    rations    as    we    now 

chanced  upon  were,  I  must  say  from   subsequent 

experience,  very  scarce  In  the  Confederacy,  and  it 

required  morf,  "^an  a  gentle  reproof,  on  my  part, 
(172) 


V 


THE    SPOILS    OF   WAR.  1 73 


to  induce  our  poor  fellows  to  leave  anything 
eatable  behind. 

This  was  the  first  time,  since  the  date  of  our 
enlistment,  that  I  had  allowed  the  boys  to  appro- 
priate any  of  the  "  spoils  of  war,"  but  in  this  case 
I  told  them  to  ''go  in"  with  a  right  good  will  ; 
which  advice  they  were  not  slow  to  act  upon. 
Three  of  them  at  once  proceeded  to  an  enclosure 
surrounding  the  enemy's  late  quarters,  in  which 
there  were  a  good  many  domestic  fowl  running 
about.  At  the  sight  of  these  the  boys  raised  a 
shout  and  started  after  them  ;  but  were  suddenly 
confronted  by  two  officers  of  the  2 3d  Ohio  (ex-Presi- 
dent Hayes' regiment),  who  had  just  emerged  from 
the  block-house  and  now  with  drawn  revolvers 
proceeded  to  drive  my  men  from  the  enclosure. 

I  was  engaged  elsewhere  at  this  time,  and  did 
not  witness  their  action,  but  was  soon  made  aware 
of  the  trouble  by  my  three  boys,  who  came  direct 
to  me  with  their  grievance.  Immediately  I  took 
the  same  men  back  again  to  wl>ere  the  two  brave 
heroes  stood,  revolvers  in  hand,  ready  to  hold 
possession  of  the  plunder  within  the  enclosure, 
apparently  at  all  hazards. 

This  dog-in-the-manger  spirit  on  the  part  of  the 
two  officers  created  in  me  a  curious  impulse, 
hard  to  restrain.  I  therefore  ordered  our  boys, 
in  a  sharp  tone,  to  go  and  take  anything  and 
everything  in  and  around  the  quarters. 

Up  to  this  time  I  had  paid  no  attention  to  the 


174  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

two  strancre  men  further  than  to  observe  what 
they  proposed  to  do,  until  now,  when  they  again 
threatened  to  shoot  our  men  if  they  dare  attempt 
to  obey  my  recent  order.  Walking  directly  over 
to  where  they  stood,  I  told  them  to  put  up  their 
revolvers  and  reserve  their  ammunition  for  the 
enemy,  who,  I  feared,  had  not  received  much 
of  it. 

The  ranking  officer  demanded  m}^  name  and 
authority  for  interfering  with  him  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duty  ;  saying  that  he  had  been  ordered  by 
General  Crook  to  guard  the  place  and  that  he 
would  report  my  conduct  to  him. 

"  All  right,"  said  I,  and  I  gave  him  my  name 
and  added :  "  Notwithstanding  your  assertion 
that  you  are  here  by  the  general's  orders,  I  will 
now  relieve  you  on  my  own  responsibility,  and 
abide  bv  the  result." 

"  I  would  be  among  the  last,"  I  concluded,  "  to 
disobey  my  superior's  orders,  but  I  am  sorry  to 
have  to  doubt  your  word,  sir,  in  this  case.  An 
officer  and  a  gentleman  should  be  synonymous 
terjns,  but  your  action  to-day  would  seem  to  prove 
you  an  exception  to  this  general  rule." 

While  this  disagreeable  interview  was  beinor 
held  the  boys  were  securing,  with  commendable 
expedition,  all  the  good  things  obtainable.  Call- 
ing Captain  Myers,  who  participated  with  us  in 
the  late  action,  we  insisted  upon  him  and  his  men 
shariniT  with  us  in  the  comino-  feast,  as  there  was 
plenty  of  food  for  both  companies. 


A    GLORIOUS    FEAST.  I  75 

And  now  the  lately  belligerent  gentlemen 
from  Ohio  came  meekly  forward  and  asked  to  be 
allowed  to  join  us  at  our  mess,  but  our  boys  unan- 
imously decided  that  they  had,  by  their  selfish 
action  in  the  start,  forfeited  all  rights  to  our  con- 
sideration ;  and  so  the  unfortunate  fellows  were 
forced  to  content  themselves  with  the  thoughts 

o 

of  what  they  had  had  for  breakfast. 

After  several  fires  had  been  started  to  prepare 
our  much  needed  meal,  we  had  time  to  look  at 
our  surroundings.  The  ensemble  might  truly 
be  called  picturesque.  Nature  had  not  withheld 
her  prolific  hand  in  this  beautiful  garden  spot  in 
Virginia.  Her  fairy  touch  had  bedecked  with 
verdure  the  scene  in  every  direction.  The  wind- 
ing, limpid  river  flowed  sparklingly  in  our  front, 
dividing  the  fertile  plateau,  where  we  were  now 
encamped,  from  the  more  level  though  less 
elevated  meadow  land  upon  which  the  enemy 
had  made  his  first  stand  after  crossing  the  river. 
A  lltde  mill  lay  snugly  ensconced  beneath  the 
bridge  ;  its  wheel  driven  by  water  clear  as  crystal 
and  pure  as  snow.  Into  this  cool,  clear  stream 
our  boys  plunged  and  took  a  refreshing  bath, 
after  which,  when  all  was  ready,  we  sat  down  on 
the  green  sward  and  partook  of  a  repast  not 
often  found,  nor  ever  more  relished  in  army  life. 

We  now  also  enjoyed  with  peculiar  pleasure  the 
tangible  results  of  the  darky's  information  to  us 
early  that  morning,  regarding  the   whereabouts 


176  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

and  contents  of  that  ten-gallon  keg.  There  soon 
were  half  a  dozen  canteens  filled  with  "  apple- 
jack," circulating  eagerly  among  the  men ;  the 
corporals  before  alluded  to  having  secured  a 
quantity  of  the  liquor.  The  unselfish  impulse  of 
a  soldier  is  generally  to  divide,  so  every  boy  in 
the  two  companies  who  wished  to  do  so  took  a 
little  of  the  brandy ;  but  the  majority  of  them 
were,  I  believe,  strictly  temperate.  I  was  with  the 
minority,  however,  and  secured  a  small  canteen- 
ful,  w^hich  proved  of  agreeable  service  to  more 
than  myself  afterwards. 

What  a  blessinof  it  is  that  we  know  not  the 
day  of  our  fall !  Nineteen  of  the  brave  fellows, 
who  were  among  the  gayest  of  this  gay  party, 
lay  dead  within  a  year  following  to  add  to  the 
vast  pyramid  of  patriotic  slain  ;  but  no  gloomy 
thoughts  marred  their  buoyant  spirits  now,  whilst 
the  "  apple-jack  "  was  sparkling  in  their  wit  and 
humor  and  making  fun  enough  to  enliven  a  regi- 
ment. 

After  a  hearty  meal  we  made  haste  to  depart, 
and  by  double-quick  marches  soon  caught  up 
with  the  main  body  of  our  troops.  A  raw, 
drizzling  rain  now  set  in,  adding  much  to  the 
discomfort  of  our  tramp. 

On  the  1 2th,  after  a  trying  and  laborious 
march  through  mud  and  rain,  we  reached  and 
commenced  the  ascent  of  Salt  Pond  mountain,  in 
Giles  county,  Va.    This  was  a  dreary  and  painful 


CONFISCATING    CRACKERS,  I  77 

Operation  for  both  men  and  horses,  to  be  plough- 
ing through  that  yellow  mud,  tough  enough  for 
brick-making.  Many  a  noble  animal,  in  going 
up  this  mountain,  laid  down,  and  his  carcass  soon 
became  a  prey  for  the  carnivorous  birds  of  the 
forest.  Whosoever  participated  in  this  raid,  un- 
less he  fared  many  times  better  than  I  did,  can 
never  forget  the  biting  pangs  of  hunger  he  suf- 
fered. In  the  strict  observance  of  the  orders  of 
the  general  prohibiting  foraging,  or  straggling 
from  the  main  column,  I  suffered  keenly  from 
want  of  something  to  eat,  and  if  not  for  the 
timely  kindness  of  Captain  S.  Porter,  of  Com- 
pany K,  our  regiment,  I  could  not  possibly  have 
continued  the  march.  Whatever  may  have  been 
the  amount  of  rations  issued  occasionally  to  the 
enlisted  men,  there  were  none  issued  the  officers. 
Arrived  at  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  just  as 
night  was  falling,  we  halted  on  the  borders  of  a 
small  salt  lake,  a  remarkable  body  of  water 
several  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 
When  the  teams  came  up,  urged  by  the  pinching 
necessity  of  my  situation,  I  made  an  inspection 
of  one  of  the  wagons,  and  found  a  box  containing 
**hard  tack"  snugly  stowed  away  in  one  corner 
by  the  driver,  who  had  appropriated  them  to  his 
own  use.  He  whined  piteously  when  I  confiscated 
his  "few  crackers."  I  divided  the  contents  of  the 
box  impartially  among  the  men  of  my  company, 
all  of  whom  were  well-nigh  famished. 


178  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

Next  morning,  when  the  strong-  attractive  force 
of  the  sun  had  lifted  the  hazy  mist  from  the 
soggy  earth,  we  beheld  a  magnificent  scene. 
The  lake,  although  small,  as  I  have  stated,  was 
of  vast  depth.  Its  bosom  was  blue  and  placid, 
and  its  source,  as  far  as  I  could  learn,  was 
unknown.  Far  away  on  the  borders  of  Peter's 
creek,  in  Giles  county,  and  Indian  creek,  in 
Monroe  county,  could  be  seen  green  and  fertile 
valleys,  dotted  here  and  there  with  farm-houses 
and  out-buildings,  while  grazing  in  the  meadows 
numerous  herds  of  cattle  could  be  discerned,  the 
whole  bright  picture  being  softened  and  enriched 
by  a  dark  background  of  umbrageous  forests  and 
craggy  mountains. 

On  the  13th  we  marched  to  and  encamped  at 
Peter's  creek,  Giles  county.  On  the  14th  we 
rested  at  Indian  creek,  Monroe  county,  and  on 
the  15th  we  reached  and  encamped  at  the  small 
village  of  Union,  Monroe  county,  a  place  situated 
within  easy  distance  of  the  famous  White  Sulphur 
Springs,  of  Greenbrier  county.  The  surroundings 
here  were  very  beautiful,  the  land  fertile  and  the 
air  pure  and  healthful. 

Apprised  of  our  approach,  the  people,  who 
were  generally  well-to-do,  had  run  their  stock 
away  into  the  woods,  far  from  the  track  of  the 
invader;  but  a  few  stray  sheep  remained,  and 
these  were  run  down  by  our  hungry  troops  to 
furnish  meat  for  themselves  and  comrades. 


INEFFECTUAL    FORAGING.  I  79 

Owing  to  the  shameful  Incapacity  of  Craig,  the 
assistant  quartermaster,  who  it  was  charged  was 
full  of  whiskey  most  of  the  time,  and  who  was 
eventually  dismissed  the  service,  the  troops  had 
very  little  else  to  accompany  their  mutton.  A 
portion  of  the  men  were  detailed  to  forage  for 
flour,  bread,  etc.  I  was  one  among  the  officers 
sent  out  in  charge  of  squads  for  this  purpose. 
About  the  first  place  my  party  went  to  was  the 
house  of  a  Mrs.  Heard,  who  kept  a  young  ladies' 
seminary.  The  building  was  quite  a  respectable- 
looking  one  and  showed  outward  signs  of  plenty. 
I  did  not  know  the  nature  of  the  establishment, 
however,  until  we  had  made  an  inspection  of  the 
premises. 

Finding  none  but  ladles  within,  and  those  of  a 
type  calculated  to  command  the  sympathy  and 
protection  of  gentlemen,  I  felt,  deeply  humiliated 
at  our  intrusive  presence  there  on  such  unwel- 
come business.  They  gave  us  the  keys  to  their 
provision  stores,  which  were  found  to  contain  a 
scanty  supply  of  hams,  flour,  potatoes,  etc., 
scarcely  more  than  sufficient  for  their  immediate 
wants.  Our  hearts  failed  us  at  the  sight  of  their 
helplessness  and  evident  poverty,  and  we  returned 
to  camp  without  a  pound  of  forage,  notwithstand- 
ing the  fact  that  we  were  all  the  time  ravenously 
hungry. 

It  Is  needless  to  add  that  I  was  not  sent  to 
forage  again. 


l8o  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

About  this  time  a  long-legged,  cadaverous- 
looking  negro  boy,  named  "Gabe,"  attached  him- 
self to  me  as  a  body-servant,  without  any  solicita- 
tion on  my  part,  and  in  fact  against  my  expressed 
vi^ishes.  He  beo^o-ed  to  be  allowed  to  remain  with 
us  in  the  hope  that  he  might  reach  the  "  land  of 
promise."  My  small  allowance  of  rations  was 
made  still  smaller  by  the  division  with  ungainly 
-Gabe." 

Leaving  Union,  our  entire  command,  suffering 
severely  from  hunger,  took  up  its  line  of  march 
for  Meadow  Bluffs.  The  roads  were  badly  cut 
up,  making  teaming  extremely  slow  and  difficult. 
The  mules  and  horses  hauling  our  supplies,  of 
which  we  got  but  little,  were  fast  playing  out;  in 
fact  our  line  of  march  was  well  defined  by  many 
of  their  carcasses. 

On  the  1 6th  we  marched  to  and  encamped  at 
Alderson's  Ferry,  where  we  remained  during  the 
whole  of  the  17th. 

On  the  1 8th  we  marched  to  and  encamped  at 
Palestine,  Greenbrier  county,  W.  Va.  The 
weather  from  the  evenino^  of  the  loth  to  this 
date  continued  wet  and  raw,  and  when  on  the 
19th  we  reached  Meadow  Bluffs  we  were  in  a 
pitiful  plight  and  in  a  state  of  semi-starvation. 

While  resting  here,  waiting  for  rations,  I  sup- 
pose, but  with  no  immediate  likelihood  of  getting 
them,  some  of  the  officers  of  our  regiment,  with 
a  few  of  the  enlisted  men,  started  out  in  quest  of 


TAKEN    PRISONER.  l8l 

something  to  eat.  Having  some  greenbacks,  I 
thought  I  would  go  too,  and  try  to  procure,  by 
purchase,  something  to  keep  the  "wolf  from  the 
door."  I  selected  oi>e  of  the  bravest  and  most 
active  men  of  my  company,  Henry  H.  Bush,  to 
accompany  me. 

We  intended  to  form  two  of  the  party  men- 
tioned, but  were  delayed  for  some  time  in  procur- 
ing "  mounts  "  (a  wretched  old  horse  and  a  mule), 
so  that  when  we  finally  got  ready  our  comrades 
were  quite  a  long  distance  in  advance  of  us.  We 
spurred  up,  however,  and  followed,  but  had  not 
yet  sighted  them  when  we  came  to  a  watering 
trough  on  the  side  of  the  road  about  three-quar- 
ters of  a  mile  from  camp  ;  here  we  let  the  animals 
drink.  The  road,  at  this  point,  was  straight  and 
level  for  a  good  distance,  but  closely  bordered  on 
both  sides  by  dense  woods. 

We  had  scarcely  gotten  well  under  way  after 
our  short  stop  when  nine  fierce-looking  guerillas, 
headed  by  two  lieutenants,  jumped  out  from  the 
protecting  trees  and  into  the  middle  of  the  road, 
within  four  or  five  yards  of  our  animals'  heads. 

"  Halt,"  shouted  the  leader,  sternly,  and  nine 
''Mississippi"  rifles  were  leveled  at  the  heads  of 
Bush  and  myself. 

We  had  not  the  ghost  of  a  chance  to  escape ; 
yet  I  instandy  slid  from  the  back  of  the  mule  I 
rode  on  the  side  opposite  to  the  band,  and  using 
the  mule's  body  as  a  temporary  shield  drew  my 


1 82  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

revolver.  Simultaneously  with  the  click  of  my 
"six-shooter"  five  of  the  guerillas  were  beside 
me  with  their  Q-uns  cocked  and  leveled.  It  was 
plainly  death  or  surrender.  We  submitted  to  the 
latter  alternative  with  poor  grace,  and,  were  the 
role  to  be  played  over  again,  we  might  prefer  to 
accept  even  death  itself  than  to  undergo  the  ter- 
rible trials  in  store  for  us ;  that  is,  if  the  loathe- 
some  grave  at  Andersonvillc  could  render  up  my 
noble  and  youthful  companion. 

In  March,  1877,  twelve  years  and  nine  months 
after  my  capture,  I  was  at  Summerville,  Nicholas 
county,  West  Virginia,  on  business  already  re- 
ferred to  In  connection  with  the  courier  line. 
On  the  day  of  my  arrival,  while  at  dinner  at  the 
hotel  of  Mr.  Fitzvvater,  where  about  twenty-five 
men  sat  down  at  table  (court  being  then  in  session), 
a  gentleman  who  sat  at  the  head  of  the  table  po- 
litely helped  me  to  the  limb  of  a  chicken.  I 
thanked  him  for  his  kindness,  remarking  that  we 
were  not  so  regardful  of  the  social  amenities  on 
the  19th  of  May,  1864. 

"  I  do  not  recall  your  face,  nor  the  happenings 
of  the  date  you  mention,  sir,"  replied  the  gentle- 
man. 

"  You  are  the  Lieutenant  Halstead,"  said  I, 
"who,  with  your  party,  captured  and  made  pris- 
oners at  Meadow  Bluffs  one  of  my  men  and  my- 
self on  the  date  in  question." 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  recollect  now.     Well,  gentlemen, 


A   TONGUE-LASHING.  1 83 

[addressing  the  party  at  dinner],  In  all  my  experi- 
ence I  have  never  met  with  such  fool-hardy 
bravery  as  was  shown  by  this  man  [nodding  in 
my  direction]  at  the  time  of  his  capture.  He 
drew  his  revolver  when  entirely  surrounded,  to 
offer  fight  to  nine  men  when  they  were  not  more 
than  three  or  four  yards  from  him," — and  in  the 
same  eulooristlc  strain  he  added  much  more  than 
I  can,  with  modesty,  reproduce  here. 

Mr.  Halstead  was  an  ex-sherlff  and  was  very 
popular  in  the  county,  and  I  thought  it  might  have 
been  to  some  extent  his  object  to  restrain  me  by 
eulogy  from  making  any  public  remarks  connected 
with  the  incidents  of  my  capture  that  would  seem 
to  be  derogatory  to  his  reputation  as  a  man,  or 
affect  his  standing,  politically,  in  the  community. 

But  I  was  not  to  be  flattered  on  one  of  the  most 
humiliating  episodes  of  my  life ;  so  I  told  the  ex- 
guerilla,  in  the  presence  of  the  large  company  at 
dinner,  that  his  action  in  taking  from  me  on  that 
occasion  everything  I  had  upon  my  person,  includ- 
ing money,  watch,  chain,  diary,  revolver,  and 
several  trinkets — even  including  the  tassle  on  my 
hat — was  more  befittinof  the  character  of  a  hlorh- 
wayman  than  that  of  an  honorable  enemy  in  a 
time  of  war. 

"  After  reading  it,  you  might  have,*'  I  concluded, 

"at  least  restored  to  me  my  diary,  which  contained, 

as  you  must  have  known,  nothing  of  interest  or 

of  value  to  your  cause." 
12 


1 84  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

Mr.  Peter  Duffey,  who  had  often  in  times  gone 
by  entertained  me  at  his  home,  was  now  my  guest 
at  the  dinner  and  sat  on  my  right.  He  pinched 
me  several  times  during  the  course  of  my  re- 
marks, as  a  warning  to  be  less  free  in  expressing 
my  opinion  of  his  friend  and  neighbor,  Halstead. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Planning  an  Escape — The  Guerilla  Chief — General  Crooit's 
Close  Call — New  River  Narrows — Kind  Treatment — Second. 
Visit  to  Union — A  Good  Action  Rewarded — A  Practical  Dem- 
onstration OF  THE  Beauties  of  Fraternal  Unity — Lynchburg — 
Arrival  at  Macon. 

We  were  at  once  hurried  to  the  Inner  depths 
of  the  dense  woods,  where  we  found  two  other 
prisoners,  a  Captain  Tibbies  and  a  sergeant,  both 
from  an  Ohio  regiment,  who  were  being  guarded 
by  another  squad  of  guerillas.  These  latter,  with 
the  party  accompanying  us,  now  formed  a  circle, 
and  placed  us  on  the  Inside.  When  darkness 
fell  they  lighted  a  small  fire,  and  by  the  aid  of  its 
blaze  kept  a  close  watch  upon  us  throughout  thei 
night. 

My  mind  was  actively  employed  all  night  long 
with  thoughts  of  escape.  By  the  light  of  the  fire 
I  endeavored  several  times  to  catch  the  eye  and 
attention  of  my  hapless  fellow-captives,  so  as  to 
convey  to  them  some  sign  for  a  simultaneous 
dash  for  liberty.  We  could,  I  thought,  by  run- 
ning in  different  directions,  avoid  the  concentra- 
tion of  their  fire,  and  some  of  our  number  might 
succeed  In  escaping.  This,  at  least,  was  my  Idea; 
but  all  my  efforts  failed  to  elicit  a  response.     The 

(185) 


1 86  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

poor  fellows  seemed  to  resign  themselves  to  their 
fate,  and  were  soon  sound  asleep.  Could  I  get 
even  one  of  our  number  to  make  a  diversion  with 
me  I  would  run  the  gauntlet  of  their  fire;  and, 
with  this  determination,  I  pinched  my  man  Bush, 
who  lay  beside  me,  so  hard  that  I  wonder  to  this 
day  how  it  was  that  I  did  not  arouse  him. 

Early  next  morning  (May  20)  we  were  marched 
to  a  farm-house  several  miles  distant,  and  in  a 
direction  quite  opposite  to  the  camp  of  our  troops. 
Here  we  were  presented  to  a  smart-looking, 
active  young  man,  who  was  to  all  appearances 
chief  of  the  band.  He  was  heard  to  issue  instruc- 
tions to  the  others ;  and,  I  believe,  he  received 
all  the  captured  booty  for  distribution  among  his 
men. 

Captain  Emick  wgis,  I  learned,  the  commander 
of  all  the  forces  of  this  kind  that  were  scattered 
around  this  wild  and  sparsely  settled  portion  of 
the  State.  They  called  themselves  "  Independent 
Scouts."  Whether  or  not  this  personage  was 
Emick  I  cannot  say.  There  were  two  good- 
looking  young  ladies,  inmates  of  the  house  to 
which  we  were  brought,  who  were  apparently 
more  rampant  and  hard-hearted  than  their  male 
friends.  They  were  very  intimate  with  the  young 
leader,  who  was,  as  I  learned,  an  expert  marks- 
man, and  who  carried  a  dangerous-looking  long- 
range  rifle.  He  told  me  he  had  drawn  a  bead 
with  it  on  General  Crook  on  the  day  previous,  but 


COURTEOUSLY    TREATED.  1 87 

that  the  latter's  staff  and  a  squad  of  men  coming 
up  immediately  behind  him  caused  the  young 
man  to  forbear. 

While  resting  a  short  time  at  this  house  I  was 
permitted  to  write  two  notes,  of  only  a  few  lines 
each — one  to  my  wife  and  the  other  to  General 
Crook,  apprising  them  of  my  mishap.  After 
reading  the  notes,  my  captors  said  they  would 
drop  them  where  our  men  could  find  them.  They 
did  so,  and  this  concession  on  their  part  I  attrib- 
uted to  the  honorable  and  humane  record  found 
by  them  in  perusing  my  diary,  which,  however, 
was  never  intended  for  their  inspection. 

From  this  farm-house  we  were  marched  hur- 
riedly to  the  narrows  of  New  river,  over  the  same 
route  lately  taken  by  our  army  on  their  raid.  The 
for*ces  at  this  place  were  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Tavenner,  a  tall,  gentlemanly 
young  man,  who  was  born  and  raised  in  Weston, 
Lewis  county,  West  Virginia,  and  who,  like  many 
other  brave  young  men  of  promise,  gave  up  his 
life  to  a  cause  and  theory  which,  though  false  and 
destructive,  was  yet  sacred  to  him.  This  young 
man,  as  were  also  a  portion  of  his  men,  was  ac- 
quainted with  me.  He  treated  me  with  every 
courtesy  consistent  with  his  duty,  and  allowed  me, 
on  formal  parole,  the  unrestrained  freedom  of  his 
encampment.  He  even  promised  to  try  to  pro- 
cure my  watch,  and  if  possible  have  it  sent  to  my 
wife  at  Weston :  but  he  did  not  succeed  and  I 


1 88  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

never   saw   him   afterwards,  he   being  killed   in 
action. 

I  was  much  impressed  by  the  proffered  kind- 
ness of  one  of  his  subordinate  officers,  a  nephew 
of  that  estimable  lady,  Mrs.  MInter  Bailey,  of 
Weston.  He  wanted  me  to  accept  one-half  of  the 
few  bills  the  Confederacy  had  given  him  for 
money,  and  when  I  declined  with  thanks,  his  will- 
ing tears  of  generous  impulse  were  visible.  He 
told  me  his  brother  had  been  killed  in  the  Con- 
federate service  a  short  time  previously,  and  that 
he  himself  did  not  expect  to  live  to  return  home. 
Another  sad  commentary  on  that  unnatural  war. 

My  treatment  here  was  like  an  oasis  in  the 
desert  of  my  many  hard  trials  and  keen  suffer- 
ings afterwards,  and  was  a  potent  cause  of  my 
entire  forgiveness  for  the  awful  hardships  endured, 
and  to  which  feelings  I  gave  a  willing  expression 
at  the  final  surrender. 

On  the  2 2d  we  were  marched  back,  now  pris- 
oners of  war,  through  the  village  of  Union,  where, 
a  week  previously,  we  had  triumphantly  entered 
and  encamped.  As  we  passed  the  villagers  ran 
out  to  see  the  Yankee  prisoners,  and  were,  as 
may  be  supposed,  well  pleased  to  see  even  so 
small  a  number  of  the  hated  enemy  made  captive. 
Among  the  many  smiling  and  wondering  specta- 
tors who  were  eagerly  scrutinizing  the  unfortunate 
Yankees  we  noticed  two  or  three  ladles  who  did 
not  appear  to  share  in  the  general  joy  of  our 


FRATERNITY.  1 89 

humiliation.  These  were  the  ladies  to  whom  we 
had  paid  a  domicihary  visit  a  week  before,  but 
had  left  untouched  their  scanty  store  of  provisions. 
They  now  had  kind  words  to  say  in  our  behalf, 
which  soon  caused  a  marked  change  in  our  favor 
by  the  people,  who  seemed  to  respect  greatly 
tliese  deserving  ladies  ;  consequently,  we  received 
better  treatment  than  we  had  anticipated. 

Some  of  the  more  prominent  men  of  the  town 
who  were  present  engaged  us  in  conversation, 
and  among  them  Captain  Tibbies,  especially, 
found  friends.  It  appears  that  signs  of  fraternal 
recognition  passed  between  the  latter  and  these 
gentlemen,  after  which  we  were  conducted  to  a 
two-story  building,  an  apartment  in  the  rear  of 
which  I  judged  to  be  used  as  a  Masonic  lodge- 
room.  While  detained  here  the  gentlemen  in 
whose  charge,  we  were  engaged  the  captain  in 
close  conversation,  with  the  result  that  our  friend 
Tibbies  never  accompanied  us  to  prison.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  this  fortunate  outcome  of  their  con- 
sultation was  simply  an  act  of  justice  to  the  cap- 
tain, who  was  in  reality  a  non-combatant  when 
taken  prisoner,  being  unarmed  and  having  no 
insignia  of  rank,  his  term  having  expired,  and  he 
was  merely  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  return 
to  his  home  in  Ohio.  Nevertheless,  he  mieht 
have  suffered  a  long  imprisonment,  as  did  his 
comrades,  had  he  not  luckily  chanced  to  meet 
with  "brothers,"  who  reposed  confidence  in  his 
nraightforward  statements. 


190  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

Leavlnof  Tibbies  behind,  who  it  is  reasonable 
to  suppose  was  well  cared  for,  we  were  marched 
from  Union  to  Christianburg.  At  Christianburg 
we  found  a  man  named  Tapp  in  command  of  the 
rebel  forces.  He  was  an  acting  quartermaster 
also.  We  had  known  him  at  Weston,  and  did 
some  favors  for  him  before  being  aware  of  his 
proclivities,  but  he  returned  our  past  kindness 
with  brutal  cruelty  now.  He  packed  us  into  a 
dirty  cell  in  the  town  jail  without  anything  to  eat, 
and  on  the  next  day  we  were  put  on  the  cars  for 
Lynchburg,  and  right  glad  we  were  to  get  out  of 
this  tippling  painter's  clutches. 

We  remained  at  Lynchburg  but  a  short  time, 
when  we  were  sent  to  Danville,  thence  to  Macon, 
Georgia,  where  we  arrived  June  2,  1864.  By  the 
time  we  reached  Macon  our  clothing  was  entirely 
divested  of  buttons,  which,  from  time  to  time 
during  our  journey,  we  sold  to  our  escort,  who 
appeared  to  prize  them  highly.  Had  our  supply 
of  buttons  held  out  we  should  not  have  suffered 
the  pinchings  of  hunger  so  often. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  "  Black  Flag" — Kindness  of  the  Slaves— In  Prison  at  Camp 
Oglethorpe— The  Dead-Line— Shooting  a  Prisoner— Prison 
Fare — Father  Hamilton. 

While  side-tracked  at  Macon,  we  were  jeered 
and  sneered  at  by  the  white  population.  The 
white  ladies,  if  indeed  in  this  case  they  deserved 
the  title,  were  especially  spiteful.  It  was  the  only 
time  that  I  ever  saw  the  "  black  flag  "  shaken  in 
the  face  of  a  helpless  enemy,  and  this  too  by  fair 
Southern  belles  who  seemed  to  glory  in  taunting 
the  hungry  and  dejected  "  Yanks."  The  unworthy 
action  of  these  ladies  was  a  great  surprise  to  us, 
and  for  the  first  time  lessened  the  fair  sex  in  our 
estimation. 

In  marked  contrast  to  the  conduct  of  their 
white  sisters  were  the  generous  actions  of  the 
poor  colored  women,  who  braved  the  displeasure 
of  their  masters  and  mistresses,  and  perhaps 
punishment,  by  rushing  over  to  the  stock-cars  in 
which  we  were  confined,  and  giving  us  bread  and 
other  food  with  many  pitying  and  sympathetic 
glances.  At  this  place  I  took  an  affecting  leave 
of  my  dear  boy,  Henry  H.  Bush,  never  more  to 
see  him  in  life.     He  was  taken  to  that  plague- 

(191) 


192  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-IIAIRED    YANK. 

spot,  that  hell-hole  of  Southern  Infamy,  Anderson- 
ville,  where  the  deaths  were  12,926,  out  of  a  total 
of  49,485  prisoners.  Poor  Bush,  soon  after  his 
arrival,  was  dumped  Into  a  pit  with  the  thousands 
of  other  braves,  without  coffin  or  shroud.  To- 
gether with  a  batch  of  other  officers,  I  was  marched 
into  the  prison  pen  at  Camp  Oglethorpe. 

When  the  gates  of  this  prison  opened  for  our 
reception,  we  were  met  at  the  entrance,  not  by  a 
refined  sympathy  for  suffering  companionship 
from  brothers  In  misfortune,  but  by  a  motley,  de- 
moralized mob,  who  acted  more  like  bedlamites 
than  sane  men  In  rushing  up  to  us  and  shrieking 
in  our  astonished  ears  :  "  Fresh  fish  !  fresh  fish  !  '* 

The  routine  and  hardships  of  prison  life  in  the 
South  have  been  graphically  described  so  often, 
and  are  so  generally  known  that  I  shall  avoid  a 
detailed  entrance  upon  so  unpleasant  a  recital. 
The  fact  of  there  beinor  sixteen  hundred  officers 
confined  at  one  time  In  this  prison  was  ample 
evidence  of  the  persistent  and  determined  strug- 
gle of  the  Confederacy  for  the  success  of  their 
cause.  Our  prison  was  enclosed  on  all  sides  by 
a  high  board  fence,  supported  from  the  outside 
of  which  was  a  platform  that  came  nearly  to  the 
top  of  the  fence,  and  extended  its  entire  length. 
On  this  platform  at  regular  Intervals  were  posted 
the  rebel  sentries,  ready  to  shoot  down  any  luck- 
less "  Yank  "  who  chanced  to  put  his  foot  beyond 
the  dead-line. 


o 

3 


p 

n 

cr 


3 
c 


o 


1 


DEATH    AT    THE    DEAD-LINE.  1 95 

At  one  end  of  the  enclosure  was  a  clear,  run- 
ning stream,  wherein  we  used  to  wash  ourselves 
and  occasionally  our  garments,  whenever  we  were 
fortunate  enough  to  secure  a  little  soap.  These 
ablutions,  however,  were  attended  with  great 
danger,  as  the  dead-line,  an  imaginary  one,  lay 
very  close  to  the  bank  of  the  stream.  One  day 
in  June,  as  I  was  taking  a  bath  In  this  brook,  I 
heard  the  sharp  report  of  a  gun  to  my  right. 
Looking  up  quickly,  I  saw  a  comrade  officer  fall 
mortally  wounded  by  a  heartless  rebel  sentry  who 
was  perched  over  and  opposite  to  where  the  poor 
fellow  lay.  What  rendered  this  wanton  act  the 
most  cruel  I  ever  witnessed,  was  that  while  our 
brother  officer  lay  groaning  in  the  excruciating 
agonies  of  his  death  wounds,  his  slayer  kept 
mocking  sardonically  the  words  of  the  dying 
prisoner.  It  was  positively  asserted  at  the  time, 
by  several  officers  nearest  the  occurrence,  that 
the  stricken  man  had  not  approached  within  sev- 
eral feet  of  the  dead-line.  It  was  currendy  re- 
ported and  generally  believed  by  the  imprisoned 
that  deeds  like  this  were  usually  rewarded  by  a 
furlough  to  the  perpetrator. 

Of  kindred  atrocities  practised  at  Anderson- 
ville,  comrade  John  W.  Urban,  in  his  book, 
*'  Batde  Field  and  Prison  Pen,"  tells  the  following 
terrible  story,  and  my  blood  curdles  when  I  think 
of  poor  Bush,  and  thousands  as  noble  as  he,  who 
witnessed  and  suffered  these  barbarities.  Mr. 
Urban  says: 


196  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK.  / 

/ 

"  The  prisoners,  who  were  seeking  for  water  to 
quench  their  thirst,  would  crowd  to  the  upper  side 
of  the  prison,  and  as  close  to  the  dead-line  as 
possible,  so  as  to  get  the  water  a  little  more 
palatable.  On  one  occasion  I  went  to  this  place 
for  water,  when,  finding  a  crowd  at  the  upper  end 
of  the  stream,  which  had  gathered  for  the  same 
purpose,  I  kept  back  for  a  few  moments  to  let  it 
thin  out,  when  my  attention  was  drawn  to  the 
nearest  guard,  who,  with  rifle  in  hand,  was  watch- 
incr  the  men  orettinof  water.  His  countenance 
displayed  about  as  much  eagerness  and  expecta- 
tion as  that  of  the  hunter  when  he  discovers  his 
game,  and  expects  to  have  a  good  shot.  I  was 
watching  the  demon,  and  wondering  whether  it 
was  really  possible  that  he  contemplated  firing  at 
the  men  who  had  gathered  there  for  no  other 
purpose  than  to  get  water,  when  I  was  horrified 
to  see  him  deliberately  raise  his  gun  and  fire  into 
the  crowd.  I  turned  in  the  direction  of  the 
crowd,  and  screamed,  'Look  out!'  but  too  late, 
as  the  ball  had  sped  on  its  deadly  mission,  and 
the  soul  of  one  more  poor  unfortunate  had  left  its 
earthly  abode,  and  one  more  murder  was  added 
to  the  already  long  list  in  Andersonville.  * 

"  One  of  the  prisoners,  in  his  eagerness  to  get 
clean  water,  had  dipped  through  under  the  dead- 
line, when  the  guard,  who  had  been  watching  and 
waiting  for  just  such  a  chance  to  give  him  some 
kind  of  an   excuse  for  his  inhumanity,  and  an 


BRUTAL    BARBARISM.  1 97 

opportunity  to  display  his  bravery  and  chivalry, 
fired  at  him.  The  ball  missed  the  mark  it  was 
intended  for,  but  unfortunately  hit  one  of  the 
others  who  was  in  the  act  of  stooping  for  water 
in  the  rear  of  the  one  shot  at.  The  ball  passed 
through  his  head,  and  the  poor  unfortunate  soldier 
fell  dead  alongside  of  the  stream.  After  the  cruel 
shot  was  fired,  the  comrades  of  the  dead  prisoner 
fled,  leaving  his  dead  body  lying  where  he  fell. 
Almost  riveted  to  the  spot  with  horror  and  indig- 
nation, I  could  not  run,  but,  turning  around,  I  took 
a  long  look  at  the  monster  who  could  murder  a 
fellow-being  for  so  slight  an  offense,  if  an  offense 
it  could  be  called  at  all.  He  coolly  proceeded  to 
load  his  gun,  turning  himself,  however,  so  that  he 
could  not  see  the  dead  body  of  his  victim.  A  few 
prisoners  gathered  around  me,  and  we  commenced 
to  express  indignation  at  the  cowardly  act.  One 
prisoner  exclaimed,  *  I  want  just  one  good  look  at 
him,  and  then  one  chance  to  meet  him  in  this 
world,  and  I  think  I  will  know  him  if  ever  I  do 
meet  him.* 

"After  the  guard  had  finished  loading  his  gun, 
he  noticed  that  we  were  watching  him  and  express- 
ing indignation;  he  raised  his  gun  to  his  shoulder, 
and  yelled  out,  '  Scatter  thar,  or  I  will  blow  some 
more  of  you  over.'  I  do  not  think  I  ever  in  all 
my  life  felt  quite  as  I  did  when  I  walked  from  that 
spot.  I  felt  as  if  I  would  have  to  cry  out,  My 
God,  how  long  must  we  endure  this?     I  really 


198  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

believe  that  I  would  have  been  willing  to  give  my 
life  for  one  chance  at  him. 

"  A  few  of  the  friends  of  the  dead  soldier  had 
gathered  around  his  body,  and  I  went  up  to  see 
if  he  was  really  dead.  Some  of  them  were  shed- 
ding tears,  and  all  expressing  the  deepest  horror 
at  his  sad  taking  off.  His  blood  had  formed  a 
small  rivulet  that  flowed  into  the  foul  stream,  which 
of  itself  had  been  a  terrible  rebel  executioner  to 
a  large  number  of  our  brave  soldiers.  We  had 
become  accustomed  to  seeing  the  sight  of  death 
in  all  of  its  horrible  aspects ;  we  saw  men  dying 
almost  every  hour :  but  this  terrible  death  moved 
me  more  than  anything  I  had  yet  witnessed.  It 
appeared  to  me  so  sad  that  he  had  to  suffer  death 
for  trying  to  get  a  drink  of  water.  '  Vengeance 
is  mine ;  I  will  repay,  salth  the  Lord.'  And  who 
can  doubt  that  the  blood  of  the  thousands  of  slain 
soldiers  who  were  murdered  In  Southern  prisons, 
has  cried  aloud  to  hleh  Heaven — not  unheard,  but 
God  has  or  will  yet  inflict  punishment  on  these 
murderous  oppressors. 

"  It  was  said,  and  never  denied  by  the  rebels, 
that  a  guard  on  post  who  shot  a  prisoner  when 
trying  to  escape,  or  in  the  act  of  crossing  the  dead- 
line, got  a  thirty-day  furlough  as  his  reward.  As 
the  miscreant  did  not  again  appear  on  post,  I  sup- 
pose he  was  thus  rewarded  for  his  courageous  act. 
It  was  a  rule  of  the  prison  that  no  prisoners  w^ere 
allowed  to  cross  the  dead-line;  but  in  the  case  of 


OUR    BILL   OF    FARE.  20I 

this  poor  soldier  It  could  not  have  been  taken  for 
any  violation  of  this  order,  as  the  prisoner  had 
made  no  attempt  to  escape  or  cross  it. 

"  It  is  but  fair  to  state  that  not  all  of  our  guards 
were  that  kind  of  characters.  Almost  all  of  them 
were  either  boys  or  old  men,  who  were  unfit  to  be 
sent  to  the  front.  In  justice  to  the  old  men,  I  will 
say  that  all  the  shooting  was  done  by  the  boys, 
and  at  least  a  few  of  those  old  men  denounced  the 
shooting  as  an  outrage.  I  remember  hearing  one 
who  was  on  guard,  and  was  speaking  to  some 
prisoners  on  the  Inside,  say  that  *  God  would  not 
prosper  a  nation  or  people  who  used  human  beings 
as  we  were  beinor  treated.* " 

The  menu,  or  daily  bill  of  fare,  at  the  Hotel  de 
Oglethorpe,  for  each  guest,  usually  was  made  up 
as  follows : 

One  pint  of  cornmeal  (cobs  or  no  cobs). 

One  gill  of  sorghum  molasses. 

Three  ounces  (or  enough  to  grease  a  pan)  of 
fat  bacon,  melting  with  the  heat  of  the  sun  and 
alive  with  maoforots. 

There  were  few,  if  any,  who  fared  worse  than 
did  the  writer  at  Macon.  A  majority  of  the 
prisoners  were  provided  with  blankets,  overcoats, 
or  some  other  protection  from  the  hot  sun  during 
the  day  and  the  chill  dampness  at  night,  but  I 
was  personally  quite  destitute  of  such  comforts. 

About  the  centre  of  the  enclosure  was  a  large 
frame  building,  which  sheltered  several  hundred 


202  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED   YANK. 

• 

of  the  more  lucky  prisoners.  Beneath  this  struct- 
ure, which  was  raised  about  eighteen  or  twenty 
inches  from  the  ground,  there  might  be  seen  dur- 
ing the  heat  of  the  day  and  the  chill  of  the  night, 
three  woe-begone,  forlorn-looking  creatures  bur- 
rowed like  moles  in  a  shallow  hole  scooped  out 
by  their  hands  and  finger  nails.  These  hapless 
individuals  were  Lieutenants  James  P.  Perley  and 
John  McAdams  and  the  writer. 

Lieutenant  Perley  belonged  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  and  although  small  in  stature,  he 
was  large  in  every  gentlemanly  attribute.  Every 
feature  of  his  intellectual  face  was  stamped  with 
candor  and  truthfulness.  He  was  a  printer  in 
New  York  when  the  call  came  for  defenders  of 
the  Union,  to  which  summons  he  responded 
promptly  and  like  a  man.  He  appeared  to  be 
the  most  philosophical  of  our  squad  in  prison. 
Calm,  unexcitable  and  pleasantly  patient  under 
many  severe  trials  and  keen  sufferings,  he  was  a 
constant  source  of  comfort  to  his  companions  in 
misery.  He  was  an  ardent  admirer  of  General 
W.  S.  Rosecrans,  and  on  this  point,  as  well  as 
many  others,  we  were  entirely  agreed. 

John  McAdams,  a  Lieutenant  of  the  loth  West 
Virginia  Volunteers,  was  a  smart,  shrewd  little 
officer,  with  a  weather  eye  constantly  on  the  look- 
out for  number  one.  He  had  two  covers,  one  to 
spread  over  himself  and  the  other  for  a  pillow; 
while  Perley  and  myself  had  nothing  over  us,  and 


THE    SOUTHERN    NERO.  203 

contented  ourselves  with  the  soft  side  of  a  brick 
apiece  for  pillows.  In  another  particular  I  was 
more  unfortunate  than  most  of  my  companions. 
I  had  no  vessel  of  any  kind  in  which  to  put  my 
daily  issue  of  molasses,  nor  any  way  to  cook  the 
small  amount  of  raw  stuff  we  received  in  lieu  of  » 
food.  A  few  days  after  entering  the  prison  I  hit 
upon  a  plan  for  receiving  my  sorghum.  I  suc- 
ceeded, after  much  patient  effort  with  the  poor 
clay  at  my  disposal,  in  shaping  a  little  circular 
mud-cup  which  I  exposed  to  the  heat  of  the  sun, 
and  in  this  half  dried  daub  I  deposited  my  mo- 
lasses. 

After  reveling  for  the  first  two  weeks  in  this 
Southern  luxuriousness  we  received  a  welcome 
visit  from  a  Father  Hamilton,  one  of  the  truest 
and  most  sympathetic  friends  that  ever  showed 
his  face  in  Macon  prison.  He  was  untiring  In  his 
unselfish  efforts  towards  alleviating  the  sufferings 
of  the  Union  prisoners  at  Andersonville  and 
Macon.  He  told  me  of  his  several  visits  to  An- 
dersonville, and  how  he  had  begged  and  pleaded 
with  General  Winder  In  behalf  of  the  unfortunate 
prisoners  under  his  brutal  and  unfeeling  charge, 
and  of  his  poor  success,  as  "  little  Impression  could 
be  made,"  he  said,  "  on  the  humane  susceptibilities 
of  this  Southern  Nero." 

Father  Hamilton,  seeing  that  I  had  no  vessel 
for  food  or  drink,  gave  me  ten  dollars,  with  which 
I  bought  a  tin  cup  and  a  tin  plate.     The  same 
13 


204  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

Utensils  would  not  cost  over  ten  cents  at  the  North. 
This  noble  young  cleric,  whom  I  would  like  to  see 
again,  deserves  a  much  longer  and  more  eulogistic 
mention  for  his  many  acts  of  goodness  than  I 
have  space  to  give.  He  will,  however,  receive 
the  full  reward  of  Him  who  visits  those  in  prison 
and  clothed  those  who  were  destitute. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Captain  Hayes — "  Fresh  Fish  !  Fresh  Fish  !  " — "  Puddin'  Head  " 
— Sword  Practice  by  the  Prisoners — Captain  Rourke — Fourth 
OF  July  in  Macon — Transferred  to  Charleston — "The  He- 
roes OF  POCOTALIGO." 

In  a  crowd  of  large  numbers  there  will  always 
be  found  some  notable  characters.  Among  the 
sixteen  hundred  prisoners  confined  at  Macon, 
Captain  Hayes  was  no  obscure  one.  He  was  a 
man  of  powerful  build,  with  black  curly  hair,  heavy 
black  eyebrows  and  dark  eyes.  He  was,  In  short, 
a  fine-looking  man,  notwithstanding  the  unpleasant 
fact  that  his  massive  features  had  been  disfigured 
by  the  small-pox.  This  man,  who  was  as  brave 
as  he  looked,  had  been  prior  to  his  capture  a 
terror  to  the  border  guerillas  who  infested  his 
State — Tennessee. 

To  relieve  the  dreary  monotony  of  prison  life 
the  boys  must  have  some  fun,  even  at  the  expense 
of  Chesterfieldian  politeness ;  so,  whenever  a 
fresh  batch  of  luckless  prisoners  were  ushered  in, 
It  was  the  Invariable  custom  to  greet  them  with 
derisive  shouts  of,  "  fresh  fish  !  "  etc. ;  or  when 
animated  groups  of  prisoners  were  discovered,  as 
was  often  the  case,  excitedly  discussing  the  proba- 
bilities of  exchanore   or    some    other    Interestinof 

(20S) 


206  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

topic,  some  irrepressible  joker  on  the  extreme 
edge  of  the  crowd,  who,  debarred  from  the  pleas- 
ure of  participating  in  the  discussion  or  unable  to 
hear  the  speaker's  words,  would  shout  discord- 
andy  and  repeatedly :  "  Louder,  puddin'  head  ! 
louder,  puddin'  head !  "  much  to  the  annoyance 
of  the  embarrassed  orator  and  to  the  intense 
amusement  of  the  crowd. 

Now  whenever  Captain  Hayes  chanced  to  be 
engagred  in  discussions  of  this  sort,  and  the  op- 
probrious  epitaph  "  puddin'  head  "  was  shouted, 
the  cap  invariably  seemed  to  fit  him,  he  having  a 
head  which  from  its  capacious  dimensions  was 
supposed  to  approach  nearest  in  size  and  shape 
to  the  toothsome  ''  rolly-polly "  of  our  grand- 
mothers. He  would  instantly  retort  with  great 
vehemence  and  clenched  fist :  "  Who  dares  to  call 
me  puddin'  head?  I'll  rake  the  ground  with  him." 

No  immediate  response  would  be  made  to  this 
irate  challenge,  but  after  a  pause,  ''puddin'  head" 
would  again  be  heard,  first  from  the  rear,  then  to 
the  right  and  to  the  left  of  him,  to  which  points 
the  indignant  captain  would  turn  his  head  in 
quick  succession,  at  the  same  time  rolling  up  his 
sleeves,  exposing  his  brawny  arms,  and  wildly 
challenging  any  man  to  apply  that  obnoxious  term 
to  him  ;  but  of  course  no  one  within  his  reach  was 
foolhardy  enough  to  do  so.  Still,  from  time  to 
time  the  objectionable  phrase  would  be  repeated, 
and  no  matter  to  whom  applied  the  captain  per- 


NOTABLE    FELLOW-rRISONERS.  207 

slstently  took  it  to  himself,  much  to  the  poor  fel- 
low's disgust  and  annoyance.  He  denounced  the 
practice  as  vulgar  and  demoralizing,  and  no  doubt 
it  would  ordinarily  be  so  considered  ;  but  it  ap- 
pears that  prison  life  as  a  rule  had  a  tendency  to 
blunt  the  finer  qualities  of  our  natures ;  at  least 
this  was  the  case  in  Macon. 

There  was  another  character  amonor  our  number 
whom  we  often  heard  at  early  dawn,  when  none 
but  he  and  his  zealous  pupils  were  yet  stirring 
from  their  still  repose.  This  individual  was  a 
Prussian,  with  the  rank  of  captain  in  our  army. 
As  a  swordsman,  I  presume  it  would  have  been 
difficult  at  that  time  to  find  his  superior,  he  being 
a  finished  adept  in  that  noble  science.  He  had 
provided  his  pupils  with  wooden  swords,  and  in 
putting  them  through  the  manual  exercises,  he 
would  name  the  different  parts  of  the  lesson  to  be 
practiced,  as,  "  high  tierce,  high  quart,"  etc.  His 
English  was  very  imperfect  in  pronunciation,  and 
there  were  very  few  besides  his  pupils  who  under- 
stood the  big,  burly  Prussian's  word  of  command, 
shouted  in  stentorian  tones  on  the  still  air  of 
morning,  and  mingled  with  the  loud  and  vigorous 
clashing  of  his  wooden  weapons :  "  hiera  thiers," 
hiera  kart,"  etc. 

Among  those  under  his  tuition  there  was  none 
more  painstaking  than  Captain  John  Rourke,  of 
Mulligan's  famous  battery.  Rourke  was  gende 
and  good,  calm  and  easy-spoken,  a  fine,  pordy 


208  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

Style  of  officer,  whose  unostentatious  bravery  no 
one  ever  questioned.  He  was  himself  a  swords- 
man of  considerable  proficiency,  but  he  wanted  to 
mount  the  ladder  high  in  everything  he  undertook 
and  he  generally  succeeded. 

His  education,  too,  had  been  by  no^means  neg- 
lected, and  his  companionship  in  this  dreary  prison 
proved  highly  edifying.  We  were  very  much  in 
each  other's  company,  especially  in  the  latter 
period  of  our  term  of  imprisonment,  when  we 
were  devising  plans  of  escape  together.  He  got 
away  a  day  or  so  before  I  did,  but  was  captured 
and  recaptured  several  times  before  effecting  his 
final  escape.  Rourke  was  one  among  the  many 
of  my  companions  in  misery  whom  I  had  hoped 
to  see  once  again,  but  from  information  received 
only  a  few  days  previous  to  this  writing,  I  am 
sorry  to  say  that  pleasure  in  his  case  is  forever 
denied  me. 

Another  event  transpired  while  at  Macon, 
never  to  be  forgotten  by  the  captives  participating 
while  memory  and  patriotism  co-exist.  The  cele- 
bration of  the  4th  of  July,  1864,  was  one  of  the 
most  spirited  and  enthusiastic  that  I  ever  wit- 
nessed. When  the  glorious  morn  was  ushered 
in,  reminding  every  true  American  of  the  patriotic 
duty  to  the  cause  of  liberty  that  the  day  signalized, 
numerous  groups  of  the  boys  in  ragged  blue  could 
be  seen  with  smiles  of  holiday  happiness  discuss- 
ing the  programme  of  the  day.     It  was  decided 


CELEBRATING    THE    FOURTH    OF    JULY.  20g 

to  hold  a  meeting  in  the  large  plank  building, 
about  one  hundred  feet  long,  and  extending 
throuo^h  the  centre  of  our  enclosure. 

When  all  was  ready  the  large  doors  at  each 
end  were  thrown  open,  so  that  the  assembled 
prisoners  could  see  and  hear  the  proceedings. 
Major  Thorp  was  the  chief  orator  of  the  day,  and 
right  well  did  he  acquit  himself.  As  the  oration 
proceeded,  Lieutenant  Smith,  a  naval  officer,  could 
be  seen  near  the  speaker's  platform  climbing  to  a 
cross-beam,  about  ten  or  twelve  feet  from  the 
floor,  and  which  reached  from  side  to  side  of  the 
building.  When  up  he  got  astride  of  the  beam, 
performing  the  feat  In  a  manner  peculiar  to  the 
agile  jolly  tar.  This  happy-looking  son  of  Nep- 
tune now  became  the  centre  of  attraction.  He 
was  youthful,  healthy,  and  ruddy,  an  unusual 
combination  for  a  caged  bird,  and  he  wore.  In 
marked  contrast  to  his  ragged  comrades,  a  brand- 
new  uniform,  buttons  and  all  complete.  In  each 
of  those  buttons,  with  true  Yankee  ingenuity, 
were  snugly  deposited  several  gold-dollar  pieces. 
This  had  been  done  by  removing  with  the  help  of 
a  knife-blade  the  outward  shell  of  the  rounded 
button,  and,  after  inserting  the  money,  carefully 
replacing  It  again. 

Now  when  the  speaker  to  the  great  edification 
of  his  appreciative  audience  was  swelling  with  his 
inspiriting  subject.  Lieutenant  Smith,  upon  his 
perch  on  the  cross-beam,  slipped  his  hand  Into  his 


2IO  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

patriot-pulsing  bosom,  and  drew  forth  from  its 
hiding-place  a  bright  new  flag,  the  talismanic 
"Star-Spangled  Banner."  The  applause,  as  the 
flag  was  unfurled  to  the  gaze  of  its  admirers  was 
deafening,  and  reached  far  and  near,  lending  ani- 
mation to  all  witnessing  the  unexpected  event. 
When  these  rinp^inof  shouts  reached  the  ears  of 
the  Confederates  they  came  cautiously  in,  but  did 
not  then  prohibit  the  proceedings  as  all  expected, 
contenting  themselves  with  requesting  that  there 
should  be  less  noise  made. 

The  noise,  however,  continued,  and  soon  there 
could  be  noticed  a  commotion  among  the  guards 
surrounding  the  stockade.  Again  the  captain  of 
the  prison  came  in,  and  this  time  ordered  the 
speaking  to  cease,  threatening  to  open  fire  upon 
us  with  his  battery,  which  was  even  then  being 
placed  in  a  menacing  position,  if  we  did  not  com- 
ply. So  we  had  to  submit,  but  Tom  Lee.  a  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of  a  New  York  regiment,  who  was 
speaking  at  the  time  of  the  interruption,  kept  up 
a  dumb  speech,  embellishing  it  with  many  funny 
gesticulations,  which  caused  great  merriment. 

A  remarkable  and  pleasing  feature  of  the  cele- 
bration was  the  singing  of  "  The  Star-Spangled 
Banner"  by  a  Captain  Camerhorn.  I  have  never 
been  so  much  impressed  with  the  sublimity  of  a 
song  as  on  this  occasion,  and  I  question  if  that 
beautiful  production  of  Francis  Scott  Key  was 
ever  more  effectively  rendered. 


A    BOLD    CONSPIRACY.  2TT 

It  was  known  that  General  Sherman  was  in 
Atlanta,  Georgia,  at  this  time,  and  the  rebels  were 
fearful  that  we  might  possibly  make  a  break  for 
liberty,  or  that  Sherman  might  attempt  a  sudden 
dash  for  our  relief  In  consequence  of  these  con- 
ting-encies  the  Confederates  began  preparing  to 
send  600  of  the  prisoners  to  Charleston,  South 
Carolina.  When  this  intention  on  their  part  be- 
came known  in  prison  a  secret  organization  sprang 
up  among  the  officers  likely  to  be  transferred,  of 
which  number  I  was  one. 

The  object  of  this  organization  was  to  arrange 
for  a  simultaneous  and  general  break  for  freedom 
at  Pocotaligo  Bridge,  South  Carolina,  on  the  road 
to  Charleston,  by  first  capturing  the  guards  escort- 
ing us  and  taking  their  arms,  and  then  exchanging 
uniforms  with  them.  By  these  means  we  pro- 
posed to  deceive  by  appearances  and  surprise  by 
our  strength  a  company  of  rebels  who  were  the 
only  obstacles  then  in  our  path  to  the  United 
States  fleet  at  Hilton  Head. 

The  officers  selected  by  us  to  give  the  signal  at 
the  proper  time  for  this  hazardous  move  were  a 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Sherman  and  a  Captain  Kible- 
han.  The  signal  was  to  be  made  in  the  forward 
end  of  the  train  by  displaying  a  white  handker- 
chief. When  the  time  came  for  it  to  be  given 
there  was  a  stern  and  intense  anxiety  pervading 
the  whole  crowd  of  determined  men,  as,  in  breath- 
less suspense,  they  strained  their  eyes  towards 


212  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-IIAIRED    YANK. 

the  front  cars  for  the  wished-for  signal.  But  It 
never  came.  And  now  complete  disgust  and 
unutterable  contempt  for  the  officers  who  failed 
in  the  duty  delegated  to  them  was  the  general 
feeling  among  the  much-disappointed  prisoners, 
who  ever  afterwards  satirically  designated  their 
cowardly  leaders  "The  Heroes  of  Pocotaligo." 

Their  excuse  was  that  the  lieutenant  in  charo^e 
of  our  escort  was  too  smart  for  them,  and  had 
placed  a  few  of  his  men  on  the  tender  of  the 
engine,  prepared  to  fire  on  the  men  who  should 
give  the  signal  which,  either  from  information 
received  or  natural  foresight,  he  anticipated  might 
be  given. 

A  few  of  the  officers,  seeing  that  the  time  for 
giving  the  signal  had  passed,  attempted  to  try  it 
"on  their  own  hooks,"  and  at  opportune  moments 
quietly  dropped  off  the  train,  every  one  of  whom, 
however,  was  returned  to  prison  within  a  week  or 
so  following  the  escape,  looking  a  hundred  per 
cent,  more  miserable  than  when  the  experimental 
jump  was  made.  Among  the  brave  but  unsuc- 
cessful gentlemen  who  made  this  attempt  was 
Colonel  Henry  M.  Hoyt,  afterwards  governor  of 
Pennsylvania. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Arrival  at  Charleston— Luck  in  a  Boot-leg— Transferred 
TO  THE  Marine  Hospital — A  Narrow  Escape — Bombardment 
OF  Charleston— The  "Swamp  Angel  "—Kindness  of  the 
Sisters  of  Charity — Yellow  Fever — Taken  to  Columbia — 
A  Brutal  Murder  by  a  Guard. 

We  arrived  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  on  July  28, 
1864,  and  were  put  into  a  small  jail-yard  where 
we  were  densely  crowded,  and  exposed  to  the 
scorchinof  heat  of  the  sun,  without  shelter  of 
any  kind.  After  about  three  weeks  of  this  tr}'ing 
experience,  all  the  officers  then  imprisoned,  six 
hundred  in  number,  accepted  a  parole  offered  them 
in  order  to  secure  shelter  and  better  quarters,  but 
for  paroled  men  our  privileges  were  very  limited 
indeed. 

One  sweltering  day  in  August,  when  sheer 
despondency  was  asserting  itself  in  spite  of  all 
my  efforts  to  shake  it  off,  I  noticed  three  or  four 
stalwart-looking  fellows,  in  citizen's  gray,  some- 
what the  worse  for  wear,  coming  down  the  steps 
of  the  jail,  to  take  their  usual  daily  airing,  or 
promenade,  in  the  yard  where  the  Union  officers 
were  promiscuously  scattered  about. 

With  unprejudiced  smiles  on  their  broad,  good- 
natured  faces,  they  came  right  over  to  where  I 

(213) 


214  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

Stood.  The  largest  of  them,  glancing  down  at 
my  feet,  asked  inquiringly  if  I  would  sell  my  boot- 
legs. These  latter  were  very  long,  coming  away 
above  the  knees,  and  were  quite  the  thing  on  a 
muddy  march,  but  were  now,  in  my  w^eakened 
and  debilitated  condition,  a  positive  encum- 
brance. I  thought  at  first  that  the  fellow  was 
cracking  a  joke  on  the  boots  because  of  their 
leno-th,  but  he  soon  assured  me  that  he  was  in 
earnest,  and  would  give  me  anything  in  reason 
for  them.  Seeing  this,  I  told  him  that  if  he  really 
wanted  them  he  might  have  them  for  nothing ; 
and  suitine  the  action  to  the  word,  I  took  a  knife 
and  severed  the  legs  from  the  foot  at  the  ankle 
and  handed  them  to  him. 

-  This  act  of  generosity  seemed  to  surprise  him 
very  greatly  and  he  respectfully  inquired  my 
name.     When  I  had  told  him,  he  said : 

"  When  I  was  quite  a  little  chap,  living  in  Man- 
ninoton,  W.  Va.,  I  drove  a  team  of  horses  for  a 
railroad  contractor,  whose  kindness  to  me  I  shall 
never  forget.     His  name  was  Tom  Egan." 

"  What  is  your  name  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Foley,"  was  his  answer. 

''  The  man  you  speak  of,"  said  I,  "  is  my  brother ; 
and  he  has  several  times  spoken  to  me  of  you." 

With  considerable  emotion  and  expressions 
full  of  pleasure  and  gratitude  the  big  fellow 
grasped  me  by  the  hand  with  as  much  cordiality 
and  feeling  as   though   he   had  met  a  near  and 


PRISON    COURTESIES.  21  5 

dear  relative.  After  a  few  minutes'  further  con- 
versation he  and  his  friends  bade  me  good-day 
and  bore  away  their  prize  to  their  tolerably  com- 
fortable quarters  in  the  jail.  In  about  three- 
quarters  of  an  hour  after  leaving  me  Foley  came 
back  and  invited  me  to  accompany  him  up  to  his 
cell,  which  I  did. 

There  he  introduced  me  to  his  friends,  six  in 
number,  each  of  whom  tried  to  excel  his  comrade 
in  kind  attentions  to  me.  At  their  earnest  invita- 
tion, I  sat  down  to  table  with  them  and  enjoyed 
a  hearty  meal  of  soup,  meat,  bread,  etc.,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  usual  prison  fare.  These  unex- 
pected luxuries  were  provided  for  the  little  party 
by  the  handiwork  of  Foley,  who,  being  something, 
of  a  cobbler,  made  shoes  from  such  material  as 
my  boot-legs  and  sold  them  to  willing  customers 
in  the  city,  through  the  mediation  of  a  kindly  old 
lady  who  took  out  and  disposed  of  the  shoes, 
and  returned  with  their  worth  in  provisions. 

At  the  time  of  my  meeting  them,  these  seven 
brave  young  fellows  had  just  finished  serving  the 
Confederacy  three  years,  or  the  exact  term  of 
their  enlistment.  They  belonged  to  the  ist  South 
Carolina  Heavy  Artillery,  commanded  by  the 
son  of  the  exiled  Irish  patriot,  John  Mitchell,  and 
most  of  the  men  were  Irish  also.  Their  young 
commander,  whom  they  much  revered,  had  been 
killed  in  action. 

When  their  terms  of  enlistment  expired,  upon 


21 6  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

refusing  to  serve  Jeff.  Davis  longer,  they  wero^ 
thrown  into  prison,  as  a  recompense  for  their 
past  gallant  services.  The  young  fellows  were  all 
single  and  had  no  fixed  homes.  The  South  had 
no  just  claim  upon  them,  as  none  of  their  number 
had  ever  been  naturalized,  and  consequently,  in 
the  eyes  of  the  law,  they  were  still  British  sub- 
jects. Happening  to  be  employed  in  the  South 
■when  the  war  broke  out,  they  were  forced,  or 
carried  with  the  current,  into  the  rebel  ranks, 
where  they  served  faithfully  during  the  period 
named ;  but  now,  in  view  of  their  ungrateful  and 
unlawful  treatment,  they  were  disgusted  with 
their  past  acts  and  present  surroundings,  and 
were  anxious  to  obtain  their  freedom  and  leave 
the  country. 

Learning  that  there  was  then  a  British  consul  in 
Charleston  I  drafted  a  petition  for  them  to  that 
dignitary,  setting  forth  their  grievances  and  asking 
his  protection.  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  state 
that  this  document  had  the  desired  effect,  and 
the  young  men  were  soon  released.  While  they 
remained  in  jail  my  good  friend  and  comrade, 
Captain  Whiteside  (with  whom  I  subsequently 
escaped  from  prison  at  Columbia),  and  myself 
frequently  partook  of  their  kind  hospitality. 

After  the  term  of  our  paroles  had  expired,  y/e 
were  transferred  and  assigned  to  quarters  in  two 
large  public  buildings,  the  Roper  and  the  Marine 
hospitals.     In    the    latter    building,    Lieutenant 


LIVING   UNDER   FIRE.  21 7 

McAdams  and  myself  were  room-mates,  and 
being  the  last  in,  had  to  take  the  poorest  apart- 
ment in  the  house — a  room  of  limited  dimensions 
and  located  in  the  basement.  It  took  us  a  good 
while  to  clean  this  room  out  so  as  to  fit  it  for 
occupancy.  We  wheeled  out  half  a  dozen  barrow- 
loads  oi  debits,  which  had  been  caused  by  a  great 
shell  coming  down  through  the  ceiling,  the  build- 
ing being  directly  in  line  and  range  of  our  siege- 
guns  on  James'  Island.  I  bunked,  or  lay,  on  the 
floor  directly  beneath  the  hole  made  by  this 
shell. 

After  being  here  a  week  I  made  a  closer  inspec- 
tion of  the  breach  in  the  ceiling,  and  found  on  the 
extreme  edge  of  the  aperture  a  piece  of  shell  of 
at  least  150  pounds  weight,  which  a  slight  jar 
would  have  caused  to  come  crashing  down  upon 
my  devoted  head. 

While  here,  McAdams  found  a  long,  narrow 
account  book,  the  larger  portion  of  its  leaves 
being  blank.  This  he  hacked  in  two  with  an  old 
saw,  keeping  one-half  and  giving  me  the  other. 
In  this  book,  which  I  still  retain,  I  kept  my  diary 
during  my  flight  for  freedom. 

During  the  time  we  were  imprisoned  in  the 
Marine  Hospital,  several  shells  from  our  guns, 
which  were  playing  havoc  generally  on  the  rebel- 
lious city,  struck  close  around  us,  doing  much 
damage  and  creating  consternation  among  the 
prisoners.     Late  at   night,  when   not  a  comrade 


21 8  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

was  astir  around  me,  I  have  often  and  alone,  from 
the  highest  balcony  of  this  large  building,  watched 
the  awe-inspiring  practice  of  our  siege  guns  upon 
the  city. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  danger,  I  thought 
this  the  most  pleasing  and  sublime  spectacle  I  ever 
witnessed.  The  calm  stillness  of  the  night  is 
broken  by  a  faint  distant  sound.  I  look  in  that 
direction,  and,  a  few  seconds  later,  a  meteor-like 
object  ascends  from  the  horizon,  mounts  higher 
and  higher,  with  its  bright  tail  of  flame,  and  de- 
scribine  a  curve  of  over  six  miles  chord,  bursts  like 
a  torpedo,  scattering  a  shower  of  fire  in  all 
directions. 

The  gun  discharging  these  terrific  missiles  was 
the  "Swamp  Angel,"  a  seven  hundred  pounder, 
and  it  kept  up  the  fire  with  great  regularity  and 
precision,  dealing  destruction  on  the  doomed  city. 
I  have  seen  Charleston  ablaze  in  several  places 
at  once  from  these  shots,  and  it  was  only  by  the 
extraordinary  efforts  of  the  "fire  brigade"  that 
the  damage  was  limited  and  the  scope  of  the 
flames  circumscribed. 

Apropos  of  these  fires,  I  wish  to  record  an 
occurrence  which  simple  justice  and  common  grat- 
itude have  thus  far  failed  to  notice.  When  man 
fails  to  bear  testimony  to  the  sweet  administrations 
of  kindness  and  charity,  especially  when  bestowed 
upon  him  in  his  dire  necessity  by  noble  woman, 
then  I  must  say  he  bears  no  afiinity  to  such  a 


MINISTERING   ANGELS.  219 

grand  type  of  manhood  as  the  beautiful  poet, 
Schiller,  who  says : 

"  Honored  be  Woman  who  beams  on  the  sight, 
Graceful  and  fair,  like  a  being  of  light ; 
Who  scatters  around  her,  wherever  she  strays, 
Roses  of  bliss  on  our  thorn-covered  ways. 
Like  roses  of  Paradise,  which  spring  from  above, 
To  be  gathered  and  twined  in  a  garland  of  love." 

The  convent  where  the  Sisters  of  Charity  were 
teaching  school,  the  revenue  from  which  was  their 
sole  source  of  income,  was  one  morning  entirely 
destroyed  by  fire,  the  result  of  a  shot  from  one 
of  our  guns.  And  this  was  the  time — when  the 
embers  of  their  ruined  home  were  not  yet  cool — 
we  find  them  ministering  to  the  wants  of  the  Union 
soldiers  In  prison,  giving  to  them  money,  clothing, 
under-wear,  tobacco,  lemons,  oranges,  and  other 
fruits ;  bearing  out  their  letters  and  performing  a 
thousand  other  acts  of  kindness  and  charity. 
They  never  once  complained  of  their  own  loss, 
although  It  must  have  been  a  bitter  one;  nor  either 
by  word  or  action  did  they  give  preference  to 
Catholic  over  any  other ;  in  fact,  I  never  heard 
them  during  the  whole  time  of  my  confinement 
there  touch  upon  the  subject  of  religion,  and  I  hon- 
ored their  sublime  impartiality.  Their  gentle 
meekness  and  refinement  won  the  respect  of  all, 
and  the  influence  for  good  of  their  angelic  visita- 
tions upon  the  officers  who  for  months  had  not 
seen  the  face  of  woman,  was  incalculable  and 
could  not  fail  to  leave  a  lasting  impression. 

14 


220  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

In  the  latter  part  of  September  the  yellow  fever 
broke  out  In  Charleston,  and  large  numbers  died 
of  it,  among  them  being  Captain  Sheldon,  the 
commandant  of  the  prison.  We  thought  it  re- 
markable and  fortunate  that  but  very  few  of  our 
men  took  the  dread  disease. 

Our  Government,  finding  that  we  were  placed 
under  the  fire  of  our  guns,  retaliated  in  like  fash- 
ion with  some  of  their  rebel  prisoners.  This,  to- 
gether with  the  prevalency  of  the  yellow  fever, 
influenced  our  keepers  to  remove  us  to  Columbia, 
the  capital  of  the  State ;  and  thither  w^e  were  ac- 
cordingly shipped  on  October  5th,  and  on  the  day 
followinor  we  reached  that  destination. 

On  refusing  to  take  a  parole  we  were  put  in  an 
open  field  where  there  was  no  shelter  but  a  few 
stunted  pine  trees,  but  It  will  ever  be  remembered 
by  all  who  repined  there,  as  "  Camp  Sorghum." 
We  were  driven  into  this  field  on  the  7th  of  Oc- 
tober, and  the  humiliation  and  punishment  we  had 
to  suffer  on  this  occasion  will  never  be  foro^otten. 
It  was  at  the  hands,  too,  of  stripling  young  rebels, 
sons  of  aristocratic  citizens,  who  were  the  cadets 
of  a  military  academy  in  Columbia.  They  were 
dressed  in  new  gray  and  formed  the  rear  guard 
marching  us  out  to  prison.  Permitted  for  the  first 
time  to  have  guns  and  bayonets  In  their  hands, 
they  thought  It  a  safe  and  convenient  opportunity 
to  practice  their  innate  brutality  upon  the  unarmed 
and  wretched  Yankees,  and  they  used  their  bayo- 


CRUELTY  OF  CONFEDERATE  CUBS.      221 

nets  freely  In  prodding  up  those  unfortunate  ones 
of  our  comrades  who  chanced  to  be  nearest  them. 
O,  It  was  sickening  to  see  and  hear  the  poor  fellows 
wince,  and  cry  out  under  the  punishment  of  the 
cold  steel  In  the  hands  of  such  young  spawn.  If 
all  our  men  had  seen  it,  and  felt  as  I  did  on  the 
subject,  these  young  cubs  would  have  been  wiped 
out  regardless  of  consequences. 

On  October  25th,  Lieutenant  Young,  of  the  4th 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  was  shot  dead  by  one  of  the 
rebel  guards.  The  lieutenant,  when  shot,  was  fifty 
yards  away  from  any  dead-line,  and  was  quiedy 
sitting  at  his  little  fire  chatting  with  his  comrades. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Escape  from  Prison — Meeting  with  Officers — Comparing  Routes 
— Lieutenant  ]VIurphy's  Obstinacy — What  it  Cost  Him. 

On  Friday,  November  4,  1864,  Captain  John 
C.  Whiteside,  of  Wyoming,  New  York,  and  my- 
self, the  former  after  enjoying  the  sweets  of  prison 
life  for  fourteen  months  and  the  latter  for  six 
months,  took  into  our  heads  to  encounter  the 
awful  privations  and  dangers  of  a  journey  of 
nearly  400  miles,  in  a  direct  line  from  Columbia, 
South  Carolina,  to  Knoxville,  Tennessee.  The 
opportunity  presented  itself  to  us  that  day,  while 
cutting  and  gathering  firewood  for  the  use  of  our 
squad  in  prison,  and  it  was  not  a  very  difficult 
thine  to  do  owingf  to  the  unenclosed  condition  of 
our  prison. 

This  flight  for  sweet  liberty's  sake  (ever  mem- 
orable to  me)  occupied  thirty-one  days  and  nights 
in  Its  accomplishment.  I  should  think  that  on 
this  trip  we  travelled  on  an  average  twenty  miles 
each  nioht,  making  the  distance  traversed  nearer 
to  600  than  to  400  miles.  But,  travelling  in  an 
unknown  country,  without  compass  or  guide, 
often  making  wide  detours  to  escape  discovery 

by  the  enemy,  subsisting  chiefly  on  raw  corn,  with 

(222} 


ESCAPE    INAUGURATED.  22^ 

very  light  clothing  and  a  very  heavy  load  of  ver- 
min, It  must  be  admitted  that  we  kept  to  the 
general  direction  of  our  goal  fairly  well,  and  made 
as  fast  time  as  could  reasonably  be  expected 
under  such  trying  circumstances. 

On  the  same  afternoon  that  we  got  out  of 
prison  several  other  officers,  perhaps  fifty  In  all, 
escaped  also.  Of  this  number  only  a  very  few 
succeeded  In  getting  through.  The  lucky  ones 
whom  I  met  In  my  lonely  pilgrimage  to  the  shriae 
of  freedom  were :  William  Nelson,  Lieutenant 
13th  United  States  Infantry;  V.  K.  Hart,  Captain 
19th  United  States  Infantry;  Thomas  B.  De- 
Weese,  Lieutenant  2d  United  States  Cavalry; 
Charles  S.  Kimball,  Captain  ist  Massachusetts 
Infantry;  O.  W.  Dimick,  Lieutenant  iith  New 
Hampshire  Infantry ;  and  Charles  G.  Davis, 
Lieutenant  ist  Massachusetts  Cavalry. 

Comrade  Whiteside  and  myself  lay  down  be- 
tween  two  loo[s  in  a  skirt  of  woods  in  view  of  the 
prison-camp  until  the  veil  of  night  hid  us  from  our 
numerous  enemies.  While  lying  thus  concealed 
we  saw  approaching  us  three  escaping  officers — 
Lieutenants  Murphy,  Hale,  and  Halpln.  Al- 
though very  near  to  where  we  were  lying,  they 
would  have  passed  without  observing  us  had  we 
not  called  to  them.  They  came  to  where  we 
were,  and  we  all  laid  down  together. 

We  then  consulted  as  to  the  best  plan  of  escape 
and  the  most  practicable  route  to  take.     I  subc 


224  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

mitted  a  plan  which  had  been  well  matured  and 
carefully  mapped  out  while  yet  in  prison.  It  was 
approved  of  by  all  present  except  Lieutenant 
Murphy,  who  had  a  plan  of  his  own,  and  dogmat- 
ically persisted  in  his  comrades  adopting  It.  He 
proposed  that  we  take  a  straight  course  from 
where  we  were,  and  cross  over  to  the  left  bank 
of  the  Saluda  river.  To  this  I  objected,  as  there 
was,  in  my  opinion,  a  village  on  that  side  of  the 
river  at  this  point.  This  I  believed  from  having 
heard  early  that  evening  the  voices  of  many  peo- 
ple there,  as  though  of  factory  hands  just  quitting 
their  work. 

My  plan  was  to  take  up  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  avoid  all  enclosures  or  resorts,  and  follow  a 
route  which  I  had  drawn  from  a  map  before 
escaping. 

It  was  now  dark,  and  the  night  was  calm  and 
beautiful.  We  started.  Murphy,  who  apparently 
would  rule  or  ruin,  spurted  to  the  front  and  took 
his  own  direction.  Hale  and  Halpin  close  behind 
him,  with  Whiteside  and  myself  reluctantly  follow- 
ing. I  remonstrated  vainly  when,  a  short  time 
after  starting,  I  saw  them  crossing  a  fence  and 
getting  into  an  enclosure. 

We  had  not  proceeded  far  within  this  field 
when  pandemonium  was  raised  about  us.  The 
prison-camp  was  completely  aroused.  Between 
fifty  and  sixty  prisoners  had  escaped.  Men 
shouted,    lights   flashed,   guns   were   fired,  dogs 


A    RACE    FOR    FREEDOM.  225 

howled,  and  the  night — a  few  minutes  before  so 
calm — was  made  hideous  by  discordant  noises. 
This  was  a  nerve-testing  time  for  us.  Murphy 
kept  on  his  headlong  course,  the  rest  following. 
Presently  several  dogs  came  charging  towards  us, 
with  a  yelling  crowd  close  behind  encouraging 
them. 

Instantly  I  filed  to  the  left,  and  for  the  next 
twenty  minutes  ran  at  the  top  of  my  speed  in  a 
direction  opposite  to  that  taken  by  the  hounds. 
No  luckless  pioneer  pursued  by  bloodthirsty 
savages  ever  more  confidingly  appealed  to  the 
endurance  of  his  favorite  mustang  than  did  I  now 
to  my  faithful  shanks,  whose  speed  I  had  often 
tested  in  years  gone  by  on  the  bright  banks  of 
the  river  Shannon. 

The  faithful  Whiteside  followed  me  closely  and 
displayed  marked  running  qualities,  but  Murphy 
and  his  companions  rushed  blindly  and  excitedly 
into  the  arms  of  their  enemies,  and  were  taken 
back  to  "  Camp  Sorghum,"  to  ruminate  at  their 
leisure  on  the  self-willed  mistake  of  their  leader. 

At  last,  when  about  exhausted,  we  reached  a 
laurel  thicket.  Into  which  we  plunged,  only  to  run 
plump  against  two  men.  This  was  a  trying  mo- 
ment. Each  party  thought  the  other  to  be  ene- 
mies, and  prepared  for  a  struggle,  but  mutual 
recognitions  soon  dispelled  all  fears.  The  two 
men  were  runaways  also,  and  were  Lieutenants 
Wynkoop  and  Bowles,  the  latter  a  Pennsylvania 


2  26  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

cavalryman.  We  were  glad  of  their  company, 
and  remained  together  all  night,  scrambling  along, 
and  often  falling  in  our  rough  zigzag  course  up 
the  right  bank  of  the  Saluda  riv^er.  Our  imme- 
diate necessity  was  to  get  beyond  the  sphere  of 
the  despised  '*  Camp  Sorghum,"  for  those  there 
in  charge  were  using  desperate  measures  to 
recapture  the  escaped  and  scattered  prisoners. 
Spurred  on  by  this  idea,  we  did  our  best  at  getting 
away» 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Second  Day  of  our  Escape — Sounds  of  the  Bloodhounds— 
Hungry  and  Footsore— Third  and  Fourth  Days  out — Our 
NuMBEii  Reduced  one-half — Captain  Whiteside,  and  what  I 
Think  of  him. 

From  my  well-worn  diary,  I  extract  the  follow- 
ing- entries: 

Saturday,  Novembp.r  ^th. — About  noon  we 
emeroe  from  the  woods  well  torn  _with  brush  and 
briars,  and  strike  a  lonely  by-road.  We  have 
fasted  all  day,  but  are  cheerful  withal.  One  of 
our  party  has  a  small  sack  of  rice,  but  no  way 
of  cooking  it  yet.  The  day  is  beautiful  and  mild, 
with  a  warm  sun  whose  most  welcome  rays  par- 
tially answered  our  chilled  frames  in  lieu  of  fuel, 
in  which  luxury  our  caution  will  not  permit  us  to 

indulge. 

Nio-ht  ao-ain,  and  on  a  brisk  march  beset  with 

difficulties.     We  meet  with  four  more  runaway 

officers  at  eleven  o'clock,  but  permit  them  to  go 

on  ahead,  and  change  our  own  direction;  in  fact, 

we  take  the  back  track  for  about  two  miles,  and 

in   doine    so   run   across  a   neo^ro.     We   have  a 

friendly  chat  with  him,  but  get  litde  informadon 

from  him.    The  nicrht  is  brio:ht  and  calm  and  is  one 

not  soon  to  be  forgotten  by  our  litde  party.    The 

(227) 


228  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

disagreeable  music  of  deep-baying  hounds  is  heard 
on  every  side  of  us.  The  whole  country  appears 
to  be  aroused  and  in  pursuit  of  the  escaped  Yan- 
kees. With  renewed  efforts,  inspired  by  our 
besetting  dangers,  we  continue  our  rapid  flight, 
keeping  as  far  from  the  noise  of  the  hounds  as 
possible,  until  weary  and  hungry  we  take  a  rest, 
hope  and  will-power  alone  combating  exhaustion. 
Our  only  subsistence  so  far  has  been  a  very  lim- 
ited supply  of  parched  corn.  We  have  carried  a 
pumpkin  for  some  time,  but  for  want  of  a  fire 
cannot  cook  it. 

One  precaution  which  we  now  adopt  is  to  seek, 
when  day  approaches,  the  retirement  of  the 
densest  woods  and  lowest  canyons,  and  there 
await  the  return  of  night  before  proceeding. 

Sunday,  Nove7nber  6th. — As  if  in  keeping  with 
the  Sabbath,  tranquillity  reigns  all  around  us.  We 
enjoy  a  day  of  quiet  repose  and  much  needed 
sleep,  after  which,  at  eight  o'clock  p.  m.,  we  start 
briskly  forward  and  make  good  progress,  albeit 
on  empty  stomachs.  Shortly  after  stardng,  and 
while  on  a  level  road,  poor  Wynkoop  sprained 
his  ankle.  With  profound  regret  we  had  to  leave 
him  behind  to  his  sad  fate.  We  stopped  with  him 
for  some  time,  but  he  was  very  unselfish  and  told 
us  to  push  ahead  and  do  the  best  we  could  for 
ourselves.  We  pushed  strongly  on  for  several 
hours,  until  we  came  to  a  river,  where  we  rested 
after  a  good  night's  march. 


"GOBBLED-UP.  229 

Monday,  November  "jth.  —  Fortunately  the 
weather  continues  very  mild,  but  we  are  much 
fatigued  and  very  hungry  this  morning.  We 
sleep  until  noon,  after  which  we  descend  to  the 
river  and  take  a  refreshing  bath.  We  are  in  a 
pitiful  plight,  not  a  morsel  to  eat  nor  a  prospect 
of  securing  one.  We  are  but  three  in  number 
now  and  are  all  feeling  very  much  dejected.  We 
commence  a  search  for  something  to  appease  our 
hunger  and  finally  espy  a  small  flock  of  sheep. 
They  are  rather  wild,  but  after  the  exercise  of 
much  caution  we  succeed  in  getting  pretty  close 
to  them,  when  I  stood  up  and  let  fly  a  club  with 
all  my  might  at  the  foremost  one,  but  missed  him 
and  frightened  the  flock  so  badly  that  we  could 
not  eet  near  them  afterwards.  This  failure  on 
my  part  did  not  tend  to  revive  our  drooping 
spirits. 

We  could  see '  from  where  we  stood  a  farm- 
house, about  a  half  mile  distant,  and  started  in 
that  direction  in  the  hope  of  attracting  the  atten- 
tion of  some  of  the  negroes,  and  trying  if  we 
could  get  something  to  eat  from  them.  I  was  in 
favor  of  waiting:  for  the  dusk  of  evenincr  before 
approaching  the  house,  but  Lieutenant  Bowles, 
who  was  a  bold  fellow,  said  he  would  try  it  then  ; 
so,  urged  by  the  necessity,  we  permitted  him  to 
go.  We  watched  him  closely  and  could  see  him 
getting  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  house.  We 
feared  he  was  getting  imprudently  too  near  while 


230  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

it  was  yet  so  bright.  When  about  a  hundred 
yards  from  the  house  he  disappeared  from  view, 
and  then  ensued  a  period  of  the  most  anxious 
suspense.  The  hope  of  reHef,  and  the  dread  of 
his  fate,  caused  the  minutes  to  appear  like  hours 
to  us.  We  waited  impatiently  a  full  hour  for  his 
return,  but  In  vain.  That  was  the  last  we  ever 
saw  or  heard  of  poor  Bowles. 

Now  Whiteside  was  my  sole  companion,  and 
we  resumed  our  dreary  march  very  much  de- 
pressed in  spirits  at  the  loss  of  our  comrade, 
being  totally  Ignorant  and  painfully  fearful  of  what 
his  fate  might  be.  I  trust  he  lived  to  see  home, 
but  1  have  never  heard  from  him  since. 

One  after  another  of  our  little  party  having 
dropped  off,  we  were  now  not  only  staring  gaunt 
hunger  In  the  face,  but  by  reason  of  our  loneli- 
ness we  were  more  keenly  feeling  its  pangs.  I 
endeavored  to  rally  the  drooping  spirits  of  White- 
side, cheering  him  as  best  I  could,  although  I  really 
felt  little  better  than  did  he,  but,  like  the  boy 
passing  the  graveyard  at  midnight  who  kept 
whistling  a  gay  air  in  order  to  keep  his  oozing 
courage  up  and  rising  hair  down,  I  assumed  a 
forced  cheerfulness  of  manner  whenever  I  found 
my  companion  growing  despondent.  Ills  faith 
and  fortitude  were  however  superior  to  mine  as  a 
rule,  and  It  was  only  on  very  rare  occasions  that 
he  seemed  to  lose  courage,  and  then  only  for  a 
short  time. 


CAPTAIN    WHITESIDE.  23 1 

I  must  pause  here  in  my  narrative  to  remark 
that  I  consider  my  faithful  friend  and  comrade, 
Captain  John  C.  Whiteside,  to  be  as  noble  a  spec- 
imen of  humanity  as  it  has  ever  been  my  good 
fortune  to  meet.  He  was  the  personal  embodi- 
ment of  *'  charity,  fraternity  and  loyalty,"  and  his 
morality  was  of  a  marked  and  high  standard. 
"  No  better  than  he  breathes  the  air  on  land  or 
sea." 

He  was,  as  I  have  stated  before,  from  Wyom- 
ing, New  York.  I  have  forgotten  his  company 
and  regiment.  He  had  made  the  ministry  his 
calline  before  the  war,  and  was  the  most  earnest 
and  effective  preacher  we  had  among  the  sixteen 
hundred  officers  then  in  prison.  He  was,  I  be- 
lieve, a  Methodist.  Several  times  while  planning 
our  escape,  I  had  contemplated  the  pleasure  I 
might  have  if  so  fortunate  as  to  escape  in  his 
company.  Though  we  differed  in  matters  of  re- 
ligion, we  had  no  different  ideas  of  friendship ; 
and  I  can  candidly  say  that  I  had  no  brother  for 
whom  I  would  go  farther,  or  do  more,  than  for  the 
generous  Whiteside.  I  am  also  sure  that  I  had 
no  brother  who  could  have  been  truer  to  me  than 
was  he.  When  I  was  barefooted  in  prison  he  gave 
me  a  pair  of  shoes,  the  pair  he  was  then  wearing 
being  no  better  than  the  ones  he  gave  me.  They 
served  me  well  in  my  long  and  weary  march  to 
our  lines. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Fervent  Prayers — Weary  Tramping — A  Beautiful  Scene — Roast- 
ing Potatoes — Whiteside's  Forethought. 

To  return  to  our  sad  situation : 

In  the  dusk  of  that  still  evening,  November  7, 
1864,  we  knelt  down  and  silently  and  earnestly- 
addressed  our  prayers  to  the  only  source  from 
which  we  could  reasonably  expect  any  relief. 
How  fervendy  and  beseechingly  we  cast  our  eyes 
heavenward  !  Not  a  roof  or  leaf  to  obstruct 
our  gaze.  The  blue  vault  of  heaven  was  the 
dome  of  our  house  of  worship.  The  autumn 
leaves  on  Mother  Earth  were  the  cushions  of  our 
pew.  The  occasional  whistle  of  a  night  bird  our 
only  choir. 

I  have  never  before  or  since  repeated  the 
Lord's  prayer  so  fervently  as  I  did  on  this  occa- 
sion, especially  that  part  relating  to  "our  daily 
bread."  Our  heartfelt  supphcations  had  an  in- 
spiriting effect,  and  we  arose  with  hopes  revived 
and  a  stronger  faith  in  the  providence  of  God. 
It  now  became  Whiteside's  turn  to  cheer  me  up, 
and  he  repeated  a  couplet  of  sacred  poetry: 

**  He  who  fed  thee  last  will  feed  thee  still; 
Be  calm,  and  sink  unto  His  will." 

(232) 


TRAMPING    ON.  Z^^ 

"Captain,"  said  he,  "God  has  promised  to  with- 
hold no  good  gift  from  those  who  walk  uprightly; 
He  who  heard  the  cry  of  the  young  raven  will 
surely  not  be  deaf  to  the  cry  of  His  needy  chil- 
dren." 

Under  the  Influence  of  these  and  other  salutary 
lessons  we  scrambled  alono-,  huoro-inor  the  ricrht 
bank  of  the  Saluda  river.  Our  scanty  clothing 
was  badly  torn,  and  our  hands  and  legs  were 
sorely  lacerated  by  briars  encountered  while 
pursuing  our  zigzag  course,  which  we  did  in 
almost  unbroken  silence. 

Our  destination  lay  in  a  northwesterly  direction, 
and  as  the  river  at  this  point  took  a  northerly 
course,  we  quitted  its  meanderlngs  and  stood  out 
direct  on  our  oroposed  line,  and  had  rather  rough 
travelling  for  about  an  hour,  when,  upon  ascend- 
ing a  slight  elevation,  we  suddenly  and  unex- 
pectedly stood  on  the  banks  of  a  noble  river,  and 
the  clear,  mellow  light  of  the  moon  enabled  us  to 
take  a  satisfactory  view  of  the  scene  that  now 
presented  itself  to  our  astonished  gaze.  The 
river  at  this  point  took  a  somewhat  semicircular 
shape,  with  quite  an  open  space,  clothed  in  rich 
verdure,  directly  in  our  front,  and  with  a  gentle 
descent  on  all  sides  to  the  water's  edge.  The 
opposite  bank  was  thickly  bordered  with  stately 
pines,  towering  high  and  majestic,  like  mighty 
sentinels  oruardinor  the  stream.  The  river  here 
was  comparatively  broad  and  smooth,  the  night 


234  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

calm  and  beautiful,  and  the  moon  and  stars  re- 
flected their  tranquil  beauty  in  the  silent  waters 
before  us.  I  feel  inadequate  to  the  task  of 
properly  describing  this  sublime  picture ;  but  we 
felt  all  its  peaceful  solitude  and  solemn  grandeur, 
and  were  forced  to  exclaim,  in  the  language  of 
David :  "  The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God  ; 
and  the  firmament  showeth  His  handiwork." 

We  mieht  have  tarried  lonorer  at  this  secluded 
nook  and  enjoyed  its  beauty  more,  but  men  who 
had  been  fasting  four  days  and  nights  were  scarcely 
in  a  mood  to  appreciate  the  beauties  of  nature. 
So  we  continued  to  push  ahead  as  best  we  could, 
in  hopes  of  finding  something  to  appease  our  well- 
nigh  Intolerable  hunger.  Buoyed  up  somewhat 
by  the  reflection  that  every  step  forward  was  one 
nearer  to  liberty,  we  dragged  our  weary  way  for 
about  an  hour,  when  we  came  to  what  looked  like 
a  potato-patch.  We  halted,  and,  kneeling  down, 
commenced  scratching  in  the  hard  and  stony 
ground  until  we  were  rewarded  by  finding  a  few 
potatoes.  We  succeeded  in  cutting  and  bruising 
our  hands  pretty  severely  in  this  operation,  but  we 
did  not  grumble,  feeling  too  thankful  for  the  lucky 
and  much- needed  discovery.  Had  we  travelled 
during  the  daytime — which  we  dared  not  do — we 
could  have  seen  better  where  to  pick  up  something 
to  eat. 

Having  the  potatoes,  we  ventured  to  prepare  a 
small  fire  immediately,  and  roasted  a  few  of  them 


COOKING    POTATOES.  235 

in  the  coals.  Whiteside,  with  great  foresight,  had 
supplied  himself  with  a  quantity  of  matches  and 
salt  before  escaping,  without  which  all  our  efforts 
for  liberty,  for  home,  and  later  to  join  the  boys  at 
the  front,  would  have  proven  futile,  as  the  reader 
will  readily  understand. 

Feeling  very  thirsty  after  eating,  we  hurjted 
around  for  the  means  to  satisfy  our  longing,  and 
Captain  Whiteside  soon  discovered  a  small  spring 
of  the  most  delicious  water  that,  as  we  then 
thought,  we  had  ever  tasted.  He  had  been  tap- 
ping around  with  his  stick,  when  he  struck  a  rock, 
beneath  which  lay  the  sparkling  fluid.  He  proved 
himself  a  veritable  Moses  on  this  occasion.  I 
have  often  wondered  if  the  rod  Moses  used  for  a 
similar  purpose  was  a  hickory  one,  like  that  of  my 
friend  Whiteside.  We  each  took  a  deep  and  re- 
freshing draught.  We  had  not  had  time  to  remove 
from  the  spring  when  we  discovered  by  the  bark- 
inof  of  watch-doors  that  we  were  within  a  short 

<_5  <3> 

distance  of  a  dwelling-house.  We  thereupon 
moved  from  the  spot  with  considerable  alacrity. 
This  place  we  named  in  our  memorandums  "Aqua 
Vit«." 

We  travelled  at  a  brisk  pace  from  this  time  on 
without  any  incident  worthy  of  note  occurring 
until  daylight  appeared,  admonishing  us  of  the 
necessity  of  seeking  a  hiding-place.  As  will  ap- 
pear in  the  next  chapter,  we  properly  designated 
this  place  "Gooseville." 
15 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Clouds  Dispelled — Charging  a  Flock  of  Geese — Grace  Before 
Meals — Attempt  at  Poetry — Kindness  of  the  Darkies. 

GoosEViLLE,  Tuesday,  November  8,  1864. 

This  place  shall  be  ever  famed  in  our  annals 
for  its  hospitalities.  Paul  was  not  more  rejoiced 
when  he  saw  the  "  three  taverns  "  than  were  we 
when  we  discovered  this  retreat.  Lying  on  the 
autumn  leaves  with  our  martial  cloaks  (U.  S. 
blankets)  around  us,  it  proved  a  haven  of  refresh^ 
ing  bliss  to  us  during  a  period  of  thirty-six  hours. 
When  we  arrived  here  our  spirits  were  over- 
shadowed with  gloom,  and  our  bodies  exhausted 
with  fatio^ue  and  hunger ;  but  when  the  lowerinor 
clouds  look  most  gloomy  the  benign  influence  of 
a  propitious  heaven  will  dispel  the  darkness  and 
show  God's  power  through  the  unexpected  bless- 
inofs  of  his  ofifts. 

The  few  potatoes  we  secured,  as  before  narrated, 
merely  appeased  the  hunger  of  several  days  pre- 
vious ;  but  even  on  this  occasion,  when  exhausted 
nature  keenly  claimed  some  support,  we  continued 
hopeful  and  resigned.  Like  Wilkins  Micawber, 
we  had  great  faith  that  something  would**  turn 
up."  Well,  something  did  turn  up  in  the  shape 
(236) 


CAPTURING    A    GOOSE.  237 

of  a  plump  young  goose.  I  caused  his  legs  to 
"  turn  up"  in  a  new-fashioned  style.  I  did  it  with 
my  litde  hickory,  and  that,  too,  at  the  first  throw. 

It  occurred  in  this  wise:  We  lay  in  a  small 
woods  about  300  yards  wide,  with  a  strip  of  cuki- 
vated  land  of  about  the  same  dimensions  on  either 
side.  On  our  left  was  a  wheat-field ;  the  wheat 
had  been  harvested,  but  considerable  remained 
amonor  the  stubble,  whereon  a  number  of  geese 
were  now  feeding.  As  I  lay,  with  my  blanket 
around  me,  on  a  bed  of  leaves,  I  heard  the  cack- 
ling of  the  flock,  which  sounded  like  music  to  my 
ears.  Springing  to  my  feet,  I  took  my  shillalah — 
"that  seldom  missed  fire" — and  cautiously  ap- 
proaching the  fence  bordering  the  field,  I  "charged 
upon  that  flock  of  geese,"  and  when  about  ten 
yards  from  them  I  let  fly  and  hit  one,  breaking  his 
legs.  I  was  on  him  in  a  second,  and  by  pressing 
on  the  windpipe  prevented  his  making  a  noise, 
and  so  triumphantly  bore  my  prize  back  to  our 
hiding-place. 

We  now  set  to  work  plucking  the  fowl.  In  my 
mind's  eye  I  still  can  see  those  feathers  fly.  We 
carefully  concealed  the  feathers,  however,  disem- 
boweled, washed,  and  singed  the  bird  nicely,  then, 
cutting  a  large  slice  apiece,  we  seasoned  it,  and 
with  the  aid  of  a  "spit,"  or  sharp-pointed  stick, 
proceeded  to  roast  our  goose.  The  flavor  of  that 
roast,  in  our  opinion,  would  have  satisfied  the 
desires  of  old  Epicurus  himself. 


238  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

When  ready  for  the  repast,  we  thought  it 
eminently  proper  to  say  grace.  I  volunteered  to 
perform  the  duty  on  this  occasion,  although  it 
would  seem  more  in  keeping  with  the  proprieties 
for  the  Rev.  Captain  Whiteside  to  have  done  so, 
but  recollecting  my  favorite  Bobby  Burns,  I  de- 
termined to  give  the  captain  a  specimen  of  the 
Scottish  poet's  style  of  grace,  and  quoted  as 
solemnly  as  I  could: 


"O  Lord,  who  kindly  doth  provide  for  every  creature's  want, 
We  bless  Thee,  Lord  of  Nature  wide,  for  all  Thy  goodness  lent, 
And,  if  it  please  Thee,  Heavenly  Guide,  may  never  worse  be  sent. 
But  whether  granted,  or  denied,  God  bless  us  with  content." 


We  now  fell  to,  and  In  a  very  short  space  of 
time  the  bones  of  his  gooseship,  stripped  of  even 
a  suspicion  of  meat,  were  all  that  was  left  to  tell 
the  tale  of  his  sudden  takinor  off. 

Present  circumstances  were  fast  smoothino-  our 
asperity  and  filling  our  hearts  with  the  milk  of 
human  kindness,  and  we  soon  became  sleepy. 
Wrapping  ourselves  up  in  our  life-saving  ''U.  S." 
blankets  (those  talismanic  letters !  I  hope  they 
may  always  shelter,  save,  and  protect  all  true 
citizens  of  our  common  country)  we  were  soon  in 
the  arms  of  Morpheus.  His  majestic  godship 
devotedly  performed  his  duty  towards  us,  and 
we  slept  soundly  until  evening,  when  we  arose 
greatly  refreshed  in  body  and  mind. 

While  discussing  the  lines  of  our  next  move,  I 


HELPFUL  COLORED  FOLKS.         239 

heard    a   voice    come    wafting    on    the    gentle 
breeze : 

Ha !  is  that  a  friend  ?  perhaps  a  foe ; 

The  former  are  so  scarce  I  fain  would  know. 

I  reconnoitred,  and  soon  I  found 

That  "honest  Bob"  was  homeward  bound. 

I  hailed.     He  answered,  "  Sir,  I'm  here; 

I  am  your  friend ;  you  need  not  fear." 

The  proof,  indeed,  of  what  he  said. 

Was  a  fair  supply  of  meat  and  bread. 

He  was  intelligent,  bright,  and  clever. 

And  ferried  us  over  the  Saluda  river. 

The  ferry  was  owned  by  his  master,  McNiece, 

Who  charged  his  customers  a  dime  apiece ; 

But  "  Bob  "  was  in  charge  of  the  ferry  at  night. 

And  rowed  us  across  with  great  delight. 

Though  no  pay  he  got,  it  seemed  to  please  him  well 

To  succor  the  boys  whom  his  chains  would  dispeL 

When  on  the  opposite  bank  from  his  master's  abode, 

With  tact  he  described  how  we'd  find  the  road 

Which  we  wanted  to  travel,  as  sketched  on  our  map; 

This  we  succeeded  in  doing  without  a  mishap. 

Honest  Bob  was  all  man  in  stature  and  mind. 

With  regret  we  left  him  in  slavery  behind ; 

But  for  his  fetters,  he  had  a  home  of  some  pleasure ; 

His  accompanying  girls  thought  Bob  quite  a  treasure. 

They  looked  just  like  twins — in  age,  color,  and  style, 

Showing  the  whitest  of  teeth  when  on  him  they  would  smile. 


Both  of  the  girls  mentioned  were  fairly  good- 
looking  colored  damsels  of  about  twenty  years  of 
age.  When  I  hailed  Bob,  a  short  time  after  hear- 
ing his  voice,  they  were  with  him  husking  corn  in 
a  field  near  by.  Bob  came  into  the  woods  where 
we  were,  and  I  talked  with  him  alone  for  several 
minutes-     He  said  the  girls  might  be  depended 


240  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

on ;  and  it  was  arranged  that  when  Bob  was 
going  home  in  the  evening  he  should  come  into 
the  woods  and  give  us  a  signal  by  whistling.  He 
did  so,  and  told  us  the  girls  had  a  curiosity  to  see 
us,  if  we  had  no  objection,  as  they  had  never  seen 
a  "  live  Yankee,"  etc.  We  told  him  that  we  would 
sooner  see  his  colored  friends  than  the  fairest 
ladies  in  the  South,  which  at  that  time  was  true,  as 
the  white-faced  beauties  had  almost  invariably 
shaken  the  black  flag  in  our  faces,  while  on  the  other 
hand  our  sable-hued  friends  had  not  on  any  occa- 
sion failed  to  do  the  very  best  they  could  for  us 
in  our  distress. 

The  girls  approached  with  much  diffidence  and 
modesty,  although  our  appearance  was  not  calcu- 
lated to  inspire  any  one  with  feelings  of  very 
profound  respect.  They  eyed  us  curiously  for 
some  time,  evidently  thinking  us  specimens  of  a 
new  species  of  the  genus  homo.  I  should  here 
remark  that  the  owner  of  these  three  slaves,  Mr. 
McNiece,  was,  most  fortunately  for  us,  from  home 
on  this  evening  of  our  visit,  the  sole  occupants  of 
his  house  on  the  occasion  beino^  our  new-found 
friends."  They  did  not  know  how  soon  he  might 
return,  and,  as  a  precautionary  measure,  they 
conducted  us  to  a  safe  hiding-place  a  short  dis- 
tance away,  after  which  they  went  to  the  house 
and  soon  returned  with  a  good  supply  of  food. 
We  ate  heartily  of  some,  and  put  away  the  re- 
mainder in   our  canvas  haversacks.     In  parting 


EMANCIPATION    PROMISED.  24 1 

with  these  worthy  people  we  had  nothing  to  offer 
them  as  a  recompense  for  their  kindness  to  us, 
except  the  assurance  that  within  a  year  from  then 
they  would  be  free.  Their  term  of  bondage 
proved  to  be  even  shorter  than  we  had  told 
them,  for  In  the  next  April,  less  than  the  year  by 
several  months,  the  Confederacy  surrendered 
and  emancipation  became  an  accomplished  fact. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Meeting  with  a  Selfish  Negro — Dry  Hollow — Old  Man  Dodd— 
A  Different  Sort  of  Darky — Meeting  an  Agreeably  Unsus- 
picious White  Man. 

Wednesday,  November  gfh. — Having  spent  the 
entire  day  at  McNiece's  Ferry  (or  Gooseville), 
where  we  fared  so  well,  we  make  a  start  this 
evening  in  good  spirits  and  in  fair  marching  order. 
Shortly  after  starting,  we  luckily  struck  a  good 
road  and  one  leadinor  in  the  riorht  direction. 
These  roads  are  not  much  used  at  night,  except 
by  colored  boys  going  to  see  or  coming  from 
seeing  their  girls. 

About  nine  o'clock  p.  m.,  after  having  made  a 
march  of  ten  or  twelve  miles,  we  met  with  a 
strapping  negro.  He  halted  at  our  command  and 
we  had  a  few  minutes'  talk  with  him.  He  was 
going  to  see  his  girl  and  had  provided  himself 
with  two  large  "  pone  "  cakes  as  a  treat  for  him- 
self and  the  fair  one.  The  sum-total  of  all  his 
earthly  cares  at  that  moment  seemed  to  be  con- 
centrated in  two  objects,  his  girl  and  his  stomach. 
Captain  Whiteside  offered  him  two  dollars  for  one 
of  the  cakes,  but  he  would  not  part  with  it.  He 
left  us  soon  after,  and  before  he  was  ten  yards 

away  was   vigorously  whistling  "  Dixie."     Little 
(242) 


HELP  FROM  THE  NEGROES.         243 

for  glory  he  cared,  and  appeals  to  his  sense  of 
gratitude  were  worse  than  useless. 

Nothing  more  of  interest  transpired  during 
the  night's  tramp,  and  now,  as  day  is  dawning, 
after  a  march  of  twenty-five  miles,  we  file  to  the 
right  and  succeed  in  finding  a  hiding-place,  wherein 
to  remain  until  night  shall  again  fold  her  protect- 
ing mantle  around  the  weary  forms  of  the  two 
fugitives.  It  has  rained  during  the  last  two  hours 
and  we  are  quite  wet  and  very  chilly. 

Dry  Hollow,  Thursday,  November  \oth. — We 
name  our  resting-place  as  above,  not  being  able  to 
procure  water  either  to  wash  with  or  to  drink.  We 
do  not  enjoy  more  than  an  occasional  nap  all  day ; 
our  clothes  are  soaked  with  rain  and  our  frames 
benumbed  with  cold.  Night  finds  us  impatient  to 
be  on  our  way,  and  as  soon  as  we  can  prudently 
do  so  we  start.  We  trudge  along  dispiritedly 
until  about  ten  o'clock,  when  we  meet  an  old  col- 
ored man  named  Dodd.  (I  kept  my  diary  chiefly 
in  cipher,  especially  all  mention  of  proper  names, 
so  that  nobody  who  befriended  us  might  be  com- 
promised in  case  of  my  capture.)  The  negro 
proved  to  be  a  first-rate  old  fellow,  and  appeared 
to  derive  great  satisfaction  from  our  reports  of 
the  progress  of  the  war.  He  succeeded  in  sup- 
plying us  with  a  good  supper,  consisting  of  bacon, 
sweet  potatoes  and  molasses. 

Having  met  with  no  mishap  or  adventure  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  night,  we  retired  at  day- 


244  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

break  to  the  woods,  as  usual,  and  slept  tolerably 
well  until  near  evening. 

Friday,  November  i  \th. — We  set  out  early  this 
evening,  perhaps  about  6.30.  We  moved  on 
rapidly  and  travelled  for  about  half  an  hour,  until 
we  came  to  a  sharp  curve  in  the  road,  where  we 
were  confronted  by  a  white  man  on  horseback. 
He  did  not  manifest  much  surprise  at  meeting  us, 
merely  asking  if  the  train  had  run  off  the  track, 
and  where  ?  We  answered,  "  Yes,  at  the  village  a 
short  distance  back,"  and  that,  In  consequence,  we 
were  compelled  to  walk.  He  appeared  satisfied 
and  bade  us  "good-night."  Our  appearance  at 
night  was  not  calculated  to  arouse  much  suspicion, 
our  garb  consisting  of  soft  felt  hats,  gray  blan- 
kets and  blue  pants,  the  latter  now  changed  to  a 
dull  drab  color  from  constant  contact  with  the 
clayey  soil,  and  the  whole  outfit  showing  marked 
signs  of  rough  usage.  The  night  wore  away 
without  further  incident. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

An  Exciting  Experience— An  Unwelcome  Glimpse  of  a  Southeri^t 
Gentleman — Recaptured^ — The  Squire's  Opinion  of  Whiteside 
AND  Myself — A  Sudden  and  Unexpected  Interruption  to  a 
Good  Story — My  Second  Escape — A  Hard  and  Long  Race — The 
Hounds  on  my  Trail — Breaking  the  Forelegs  of  one  of  them 
WITH  A  Cudgel — Twenty  Miles  without  Stopping. 

Saturday  night,  November  1 2th. — The  events 
of  to-night  proved  one  of  the  most  trying  chapters 
of  my  Hfe.  After  a  miserable  meal  of  two  or 
three  ounces  of  half-cooked  turnips,  we  were  pre- 
paring to  again  move  forward  when,  upon  looking 
in  the  direction  of  the  road,  we  saw  a  horse  and 
buggy  approaching  us,  the  latter  occupied  by  a 
gentleman.  Not  having  met  with  so  luxurious  a 
conveyance  for  months,  we  were  much  Impressed 
with  the  sight,  and  concluded  that  the  occupant 
must  be  a  person  of  some  note  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. However,  we  did  not  have  the  remotest 
wish  to  cultivate  the  gentleman's  acquaintance. 

But  destiny  or  some  other  power  willed  it 
otherwise,  for  that  night  he  took  back  into  cap- 
tivity my  worthy  and  only  companion,  Whiteside. 
We  permitted  him  to  pass,  and  then  moved  cau- 
tiously from  our  hiding-place  to  the  road.  Trav- 
elling upon  the  roads  was  now  becoming  more 

(24s) 


246  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

risky  and  we  acted  too  rashly  In  our  anxiety  to 
make  better  time  ;  but  the  night  was  very  bright 
and  we  could  see  a  long  distance  ahead,  so  secur- 
ing time  to  enable  us  to  get  over  the  fence  paral- 
leling the  road,  and  to  get  away  In  case  of  the 
approach  of  suspected  enemies. 

While  it  was  yet  early — about  half  an  hour  only 
after  nightfall — we  saw  a  house  on  our  left,  about 
one  hundred  yards  in  advance  and  about  twenty 
yards  from  the  road.  Whiteside  and  the  writer 
consulted  as  to  what  we  should  do ;  whether  to 
take  over  the  fence  and  flank  the  house,  or  to 
proceed  cautiously  on  the  road.  We  foolishly 
adopted  the  latter  plan,  believing  we  would  not 
encounter  any  but  colored  folks,  In  which,  however, 
we  were  sadly  mistaken. 

I  have  stated  that  the  night  was  bright,  but  this 
poorly  describes  It ;  the  moon  was  full,  the  heav- 
ens calm  and  cloudless  and  the  stars  numerous 
and  brilliant.  I  have  rarely  seen  a  more  beauti- 
ful nTght,  but  bright  as  It  was,  neither  my  comrade 
nor  myself  noticed  three  or  four  horses  hitched  to 
a  fence  In  front  of  the  house  just  mentioned  until 
we  saw  their  owners  come  out  of  the  door  and 
mount  them.  As  they  turned  their  horses  In  the 
direction  we  were  travelling  we  hoped  that  they 
had  not  seen  us,  and  hastily  crouching  down  in  a 
fence  corner,  we  prepared  to  wait  until  they  had 
passed  out  of  sight ;  they  had  noticed  us,  however, 
and  when  they  discovered  our  sudden  disappear- 


RECAPTURED.  247 

ance   their   suspicions  were   aroused,   and   diey 
rode  briskly  towards  where  we  lay  concealed. 

Oh,  what  a  rush  of  thoughts  surged  through 
my  brain  in  those  brief  moments!  My  first  im- 
pulse was  to  get  over  the  fence  and  run  for  it. 
My  next  was  that  we  might  succeed  in  bluffing 
them  and  avoid  the  chances  of  a  pursuit  by  the 
hounds.  We  therefore  arose  and  advanced  tow- 
ards them.  They  were  sharp  fellows  and  our 
replies  to  their  questions  were  not  satisfactory. 

One  of  the  party  (they  were  four  in  number) 
now  proceeded  to  the  house  they  had  just  quitted 
and  returned  immediately,  reinforced  by  another 
man  with  a  gun.  They  questioned  us  so  sharply 
and  were  so  evidently  aware  of  the  character  of 
their  capture  that  we  decided  to  make  a  clean 
breast  of  it ;  so  we  simply  told  them  that  we  were 
escaping  prisoners  from  Columbia. 

We  were  marched  into  the  house  and  ques- 
tioned at  more  length.  The  owner  of  the  place 
seemed  to  be  in  good  circumstances.  He  had 
several  slaves,  about  equally  divided  as  to  sex. 
He  proved  to  be  the  same  gentleman  who  had 
passed  us  in  the  buggy  a  short  while  before. 
The  room  into  which  we  were  conducted  was  not 
very  well  proportioned,  perhaps  thirty  by  fifteen 
feet,  but  was  very  clean  and  suitably  furnished. 
We  were  ordered  to  take  a  seat  on  a  lounge 
placed  against  a  side  wall.  The  family  were  just 
finishing  their  supper  when  we  entered. 


248  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

The  gentleman,  whose  prisoners  we  now  were, 
was,  I  learned,  a  local  magistrate.  I  did  not  learn 
his  name.  He  lived  exacdy  seven  miles  from 
Laurens  Court-House  on  the  Nadonal  pike.  Each 
mile  on  this  road  was  defined  by  well-cut  stone 
posts  plainly  numbered  and  lettered. 

Poor  Whiteside  and  his  companion  presented 
a  queer  appearance  seated  upon  the  lounge  with 
our  tattered  U.  S.  blankets  wrapped  around  our 
emaciated  frames,  our  pantaloons  of  questionable 
color,  with  legs  of  different  lengths  and  a  lib- 
eral fringe  of  frayed  material  running  around 
their  bottoms ;  hats  well  ventilated  by  numerous 
holes  in  the  tops  and  sides,  and  our  hair  and 
beards  long  and  unkempt,  our  faces  having  been 
stranorers  to  the  touch  of  a  razor  for  many  months 
previous,  heads  drooping  with  weariness  and  de- 
jection and  a  general  air  of  abject  misery.  What 
a  contrast  to  the  pictures  we  presented  when 
upon  dress  parade 

The  gendemen  retired  to  an  adjoining  room 
for  consultation  and  we  were  left  alone  for  a  few 
moments.  While  thus  alone,  I  whispered  to 
Whiteside  my  intention  to  escape  from  the  house 
if  we  were  permitted  to  remain  during  the  night. 
The  Squire,  in  the  next  apartnient,  was  preparing 
to  hold  his  court  and  grant  us  the  formality  of  a 
trial,  or  at  least  to  examine  us  closely  before  re- 
turning us  to  prison.  In  according  us  this  privi- 
lege I  thought  he  was  actuated  in  a  good  degree 


AT   THE   SQUIRE  S.  249 

by  a  desire  to  display  his  judicial  knowledge  and 
other  varied  attainments. 

While  we  were  still  alone,  a  door  to  the  left  of 
us  opened  gently,  and  looking  in  that  direction, 
we  saw  first  a  round  black  curly  head,  surmounted 
by  a  red  bandanna  handkerchief,  followed,  a  mo- 
ment later,  by  two  large  eyes  with  a  good  deal  of 
white  in  them,  looking  sofdy  and  pitifully  at  the 
captives.  The  door  was  closed,  and  again  gently 
opened  to  admit  the  curious  face  of  another  dusky 
maid.  This  last  girl  was  much  taller  than  the 
first,  and  showed  considerable  of  the  blue  blood 
of  the  South  in  her  veins.  Both  were  decidedly 
sympathetic  in  their  glances  towards  us. 

The  Squire  now  entered  with  a  newspaper  in 
his  hand,  followed  by  two  of  the  gentlemen  who 
had  assisted  in  our  capture.  Next  came  in, 
through  a  side  door  leading  from  the  parlor,  the 
remarkably  pretty  hostess,  accompanied  by  two 
young  ladies.  A  glance  w^as  sufficient  to  satisfy  me 
that  the  three  ladies  were  sisters,  the  resemblance 
they  bore  to  one  another  being  too  marked  to 
admit  of  any  doubt.  They  were  all  blue-eyed, 
rosy-cheeked,  with  hair  a  beautiful  auburn,  and 
forms  well  rounded  and  graceful. 

All  present  seated  themselves  except  the 
Squire,  a  man  of  portly  figure  and  military  stride. 
He  continued  walking  up  and  down  the  room, 
holding  in  his  hand  the  latest  available  issue  of  a 
newspaper,  a  sorry-looking  sheet  containing  little 


250  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK, 

besides  war  news,  and  that  of  a  character  not  the 
most  agreeable  to  the  friends  of  the  Confederacy, 
as  "Httle  Phil"  had  just  succeeded  In  turning  the 
tables  on  General  Early  In  the  Valley,  of  which 
fact  we  had  been  made  aware  from  smuggled 
newspapers  while  yet  in  prison. 

The  first  burst  of  eloquence  we  had  from  the 
Squire  was  directed  to  the  abuse  of  whiskey,  and 
how  It  had  lost  to  them  a  glorious  victory  in  the 
Valley  of  Virginia.  He  censured  Early  very 
severely,  who,  he  said,  "  commanded  the  bravest 
boys  that  ever  fought.  These  troops,"  said  he, 
"  were  whipping  and  driving  before  them  three 
times  their  own  number  of  Yankees  in  the  first 
part  of  this  engagement,  until  General  Early, 
flushed  with  success,  dipped  too  deep  in  captured 
Yankee  whiskey,  and  thereby  lost  a  grand  oppor- 
tunity to  teach  the  North  a  salutary  lesson." 

I  could  not  at  this  juncture  forbear  remarking: 
"  I  wish  he  had  captured  more  whiskey  and  less 
men  from  our  side." 

This  caused  a  furtive  smile  from  the  ladles  to 
be  directed  toward  the  dilapidated-looking  cap- 
tives. 

The  Squire  now  directed  his  attention  to  us 
and  commenced  our  examination.  He  first  ad- 
dressed Whiteside,  in  a  quick  and  imperious  tone, 
and  said  : 

"What  is  your  name,  sir?" 

"John  C.  Whiteside,"  was  the  reply. 


OFFICIALLY    EXAMINED.  25 1 

"  Where  are  you  from  ?  '* 

*'  From  Wyoming,  New  York,  sir." 

"  New  York,"  he  repeated,  "  the  receptacle  of 
the  slums,  the  mud-sills  and  off-scou rings  of 
Europe,  who,  together  with  your  cunning,  inter- 
meddling Yankees,  have  come,  like  the  hirelings 
you  are,  to  invade  our  homes  and  firesides  in  an 
effort  to  overthrow  constitutional  rieht  and  rob 
us  of  our  property ;  urged  on  by  such  fire-brands 
and  fanatics  as  old  Garrison,  Greeley,  Phillips, 
Harriet  Beecher  Stowe,  and  others  of  their  ilk. 
I  do  not  know  a  punishment  severe  enough  for 
such  ruthless  despoilers." 

The  Squire  paused,  but  my  gentle  and  mild- 
tempered  comrade  made  no  reply. 

His  Honor  was  master  of  the  situation,  and 
seemed  to  realize  with  soaie  pride  the  favorable 
impression  he  had  made  upon  the  ladies.  He 
now  turned  to  me  and  with  renewed  force  com* 
menced  his  tirade  : 

"What  is  your  name,  sir?'* 

"  Michael  Egan,"  I  replied. 

"  From  what  State  of  the  North  are  you  ?  '* 

"  I  am  from  West  Virginia,  sir." 

**Ah,  from  Virginia,  a  State  in  the  Confederacy) 
then  you  are  an  arch-traitor,"  said  he. 

"  I  said  from  West  Virginia,  sir,  and  she  is  nr^t 
in  the  Confederacy." 

"  Worse  and  worse,"  said  the  Squire;  "you  add 

to  the  crime  of  treachery  that  of  secession  ;  not 
16 


252  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-IIAIRED    YANK. 

like  the  action  of  the  Sovereign  States  composing 
the  Confederacy,  but  Hke  the  wilful  act  of  an  un- 
grateful child.  The  idea  of  an  insignificant  corner 
of  the  Mother  of  States  and  of  Presidents  sep- 
arating itself  from  its  parent  is  simply  detestable.'* 

Whether  from  my  name  or  brogue,  or  both 
combined,  he  drew  his  conclusions,  I  do  not 
know;  but  he  suddenly  said: 

"  You  are  no  American  by  birth,  sir." 

"  No  sir,  I  am  Irish  by  birth,  as  you  seem 
already  to  have  perceived.'* 

"  Yes,  I  thought  so,  which  fact  only  tends  to 
aggravate  your  crime — a  traitor  and  a  tory. 
The  action  of  one  whose  country  and  people  have 
suffered  for  centuries  under  the  oppressive  yoke 
and  iron  heel  of  English  tyranny,  in  lending  his 
aid  to  subject  a  people  to  like  misfortunes,  de- 
serves, sir,  the  most  extreme  punishment." 

This  was  too  much  for  me ;  I  was  on  my  feet  in 
an  instant. 

"I  thank  you,"  said  I,  " for  your  very  compli- 
mentary remarks  to  my  companion  and  myself; 
we  are  your  prisoners.  It's  very  like  the  handle 
of  a  pitcher,  sir — a  one-sided  affair.  I  beg  to  re- 
mind you,  however,  that  were  we  on  equal  terms 
you  probably  would  be  more  careful  in  the  word- 
ing of  your  bill  of  indictment;  more  careful  in 
the  application  of  such  vile  and  opprobrious 
epithets,  stupid  and  unjust  ones  as  they  are,  as 
repugnant  to  my  feelings  as  they  are  devoid  of 


TART   REPLIES.  253 

proof.  As  to  your  charge  of  baseness  in  an 
Irishman  espousing  the  cause  of  the  North,  I 
dismiss  it  with  the  assertion  that  the  case  of  poor, 
strugghng  Ireland  is  not  a  parallel  one  with  this 
Rebellion,  and  no  amount  of  sophistry  can  make 
it  so.  It  was  a  love  of  liberty,  and  not  of  tyranny, 
that  caused  me  to  give  to  the  United  States  my 
free  and  willing  allegiance.  We  are  here,  sir,  not 
to  help  to  inflict  injustice,  but  to  aid  in  upholding 
unimpaired  and  intact  a  republican  form  of  gov- 
ernment in  a  great  and  varied  and  expansive 
country  that  has  not,  in  all  its  wide  area,  one  line 
of  natural  demarcation  to  justify  the  formation  of 
two  governments,  antagonistic  on  vital  principles 
and  requiring,  as  they  would,  large  standing 
armies  for  their  defense. 

"  Strange  as  it  may  now  seem  to  you,  sir,  I  be- 
lieve you  will  live  to  see  the  day  when  you  will 
rejoice  that  the  disintegration  of  the  Union  was 
not  accomplished.  I  thank  you  for  allowing  me 
to  defend  my  position,  and  will  conclude  by  an- 
swering your  strange  charge  of  toryism.  An 
Irishman  of  the  middle  class  being  a  tory  is  an 
anomaly,  indeed.  Where  can  you  cite  me  one? 
Of  all  the  '  isms  *  known  to  politics  toryism  has 
my  most  cordial  detestation.  But  right  here,  I 
would  ask,  where,  during  the  Revolutionary 
struggle,  was  toryism  most  rampant  ?  I  answer 
in  South  Carolina,  near  the  Pee  Dee,  where  the 
gallant  Marion  was  so  badly  harassed  by  your 


254  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

native  tones  and  traitors.  In  speaking  for  my- 
self, I  believe,  too,  that  I  outline  the  principles  of 
my  comrade." 

"You  do,"  answered  Whiteside. 

"I  hope,  sir,  your  harsh  impressions  are  some- 
what modified,"  I  ventured  to  add  mildly. 

Yes,  there  was  now  manifest  a  marked  change 
in  our  favor,  as  could  be  seen  by  the  altered 
manner  of  those  present. 

"  You  are  not  privates  ?  *'  said  the  Squire,  in- 
terrogatively. 

My  companion  replied  that  we  ranked  as  cap- 
tains. 

The  fair  hostess  now  spoke  in  low  tones  to  her 
husband,  who  nodded  assent  to  whatever  she  had 
said.  It  was  doubtless  something  in  our  favor, 
as  the  little  lady  at  once  gave  a  servant  orders  to 
prepare  something  for  us  to  eat.  I  do  not  be- 
lieve the  colored  cook  ever  obeyed  an  order  with 
more  willingness  and  alacrity  than  this  one. 

We  were  soon  called  into  the  dininor-room 
and  plenty  of  corn-bread,  meat  and''  Jeff  Davis" 
coffee  (parched  rye,  ground)  were  placed  before 
us.  Flour  bread  was  a  rarity  in  the  South  at 
this  time,  but  our  friendly  and  kind-hearted  cook 
made  a  sly  visit  to  the  pantry  where  she  found 
some,  which  we  lost  no  time  in  disposing  of. 
After  our  hearty  meal,  and  one  that  we  thoroughly 
enjoyed,  we  returned  to  our  former  positions  in 
the  "  sittlncr-room." 


MARCHED    OFF   TO   JAIL.  255 

The  Squire  now  gave  orders  to  one  of  his 
colored  servants  to  procure  fresh  horses  for  him- 
self and  escort  in  order  to  march  us  back  to 
Laurens  Court-House,  where,  he  told  us,  there 
were  seven  other  runaway  prisoners,  in  whose 
company  we  would  return  to  Columbia.  Em- 
boldened by  our  late  kind  treatment,  I  spoke  up 
and  said  that  we  were  very  much  fatigued,  and 
begged  him  to  allow  us  to  remain  at  his  house 
that  night,  although  I  had  no  intention  of  so  re- 
maining, if  an  opportunity  of  escape  presented 
itself. 

"  I  presume,"  said  he,  "  if  you  were  at  liberty 
now  you  would  march  more  than  seven  miles  to- 
night." 

It  was  too  true  to  dispute  and  we  were  silent. 

Now  all  were  ready  and  we  got  the  word  to 
move. 

In  describing  our  outfit,  I  omitted  to  mention 
that  we  had  two  good  hickory-sticks.  When  we 
stood  up  to  begin  our  march,  I  leaned  heavily  on 
my  cane,  and  walked  slowly,  with  an  exaggerated 
curvature  in  my  spinal  column.  I  was,  also,  as 
already  stated,  prematurely  gray,  and  looked 
twenty  years  older  than  I  really  was.  This  latter 
fact  gave  my  assumed  decrepitude  an  appear- 
ance of  naturalness. 

The  Squire  and  his  four  friends,  all  well  armed 
and  mounted,  ordered  us  to  march  in  front  of 
them  on  the   road  to  Laurens.     Whiteside   and 


256  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

myself  walked  shoulder  to  shoulder,  about  ten 
yards  in  advance  of  our  guards.  We  kept  up  a 
low  toned  conversation  for  some  time,  discussing 
what  we  should  do.  I  told  my  friend  that  if  he 
would  make  the  effort  to  get  away,  I  would  re- 
main with  the  guards  in  order  to  divert  a  portion 
of  them  from  his  pursuit.  He  had  been  a  prisoner 
for  fourteen  months,  while  my  term  of  imprison- 
ment had  been  only  six  months,  and  I  thought  it 
but  fair  that  he  be  given  the  first  chance  of  lib- 
erty. He  replied,  however,  that  the  risk  of  being 
shot  was  too  great,  and  besides,  if  he  did  succeed 
in  escaping,  he  could  not  make  his  way  alone.  I 
then  told  him  I  was  determined  to  make  the 
effort,  or  die  in  the  attempt.  I  gave  him  my 
wife's  address,  in  case  I  should  never  reach  home, 
which  then  seemed  very  probable,  as  eight 
hundred  and  twenty  miles  yet  lay  between  me 
and  my  fireside. 

My  mind  was  made  up  to  run  for  it  at  the  first 
opportunity.  I  did  not  turn  my  head  to  the  right 
or  to  the  left  at  any  time,  but  my  eyes  moved 
with  sharp  glances  on  either  side  of  the  road 
seeking  a  favorable  spot  to  make  a  dash.  The 
Squire,  meantime,  kept  up  a  running  conversation 
with  his  men,  and  we  now  heard  him  remark  to 
them  that  if  he  should  call  on  Mr.  Yancey,  whose 
fine  plantation  we  were  then  passing,  that  gentle- 
man would  quickly  respond  widi  himself  and 
hounds.     I  thought  he  had  an  object  in  making 


MEDITATING    A    BREAK.  257 

this  remark  loud  enough  for  us  to  hear.  At  ull 
events  k  had  the  effect  of  preventing  my  go'ijig 
as  soon  as  otherwise  I  might  have  done,  beHevIrig 
for  a  certainty  that,  If  I  escaped  falHng  by  their 
fire,  bloodhounds  would  be  put  on  my  trail  im- 
mediately. 

When  about  half  a  mile  from  the  plantation 
where  the  hounds  were  kept  I  became  impatient, 
thinking  I  might  be  passing  places  more  favor, 
able  for  my  flight,  perhaps,  than  I  should  en, 
counter  farther  on.  I  was  laboring  under  a  dis-, 
advantage,  too,  but  one  which  happily  proved  a 
blessing  afterwards ;  that  is,  I  had  a  heavy  Unltec) 
States  blanket  on  my  shoulders.  It  belonged  tG 
Whiteside,  he  having  mine,  which  was  a  very 
light  one.  We  had  made  the  change  while  travek 
llng  in  order  that  he  might  the  better  keep  up 
with  me,  but  we  had  no  chance  to  change  back  now. 
Such  an  act  would  be  sure  to  create  suspicion. 

The  Squire,  at  this  moment,  was  entertaining 
his  friends  upon  the  engrossing  subject  of 
partridges.  He  was  telling  them  how  he  had 
misled  his  neighbor  Davis,  who  was  an  ardent 
sportsman,  by  concealing  himself  In  a  brushy 
place  near  a  fence,  and  whistling  in  the  style 
peculiar  to  partridges,  thus  causing  his  guileless 
neighbor  to  imagine  that  a  covey  of  the  birds  was 
being  formed  right  under  his  nose. 

While  the  gentlemen  were  absorbed  In  this 
congenial  subject,  I  decided  that  my  time  to  make 


258  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

the  break  for  liberty  had  come.  There  was  a 
fence  enclosing  an  open  field  on  my  right ;  a 
sparse  and  level  wood  on  my  left,  unenclosed  ; 
and  my  mind  was  made  up.  I  straightened  up, 
made  one  bound,  and  was  away  into  the  woods, 
all  signs  of  lameness  gone  and  feeling  as  though 
able  to  outrun  the  pick  of  a  hundred  men  in  such 
a  race,  and  for  such  high  stakes.  I  ran  in  a  ziz- 
zaor  manner  in  order  to  evade  their  fire.  After 
the  first  volley,  one  of  their  fleetest  runners  dis- 
mounted and  made  after  me  on  foot.  Another 
followed  on  a  horse  for  some  distance,  but  re- 
turned shortly  afterwards  (Whiteside  wrote  me) 
minus  his  carbine  and  hat,  and  severelv  scratched 
and  bruised  by  the  briars  and  overhanging 
boughs.      (See  F7^ontispiece^ 

The  night  is  still  very  calm  and  bright,  and  the 
leaves  very  dry.  I  do  not  take  time  to  look  back, 
but  can  hear  the  leaves  rattling  In  my  rear  and 
conclude  that  the  man  on  my  track  must  surely 
be  a  good  runner.  I  am  not  afraid,  however,  that 
I  will  be  overtaken  In  a  long  run,  if  my  pursuer 
does  not  catch  me  in  a  short  one,  as  I  have  never 
been  beaten  in  a  long  distance  race.  My  equip- 
ments annoy  me  considerably,  being  somewhat 
cumbersome.  I  have  the  heavy  blanket  before 
mentioned,  a  canvas  haversack,  hickory-stick, 
and  a  leather  belt  with  a  butcher  knife  in  a 
sheath  attached  to  it.  The  knife  was  given  me 
by  Lieutenant  Andrew  McNiece,  of  Philadelphia, 
who  had  bunked  with  me  in  prison. 


END    OF   THE    RACE.  259 

The  runner  in  my  rear,  on  the  other  hand,  Is 
less  encumbered,  better  fed  and  fresher  In  every 
way.  But  the  last  few  wholesome  meals  I  re- 
ceived are  visibly  restoring  the  vitality  lost  by 
the  starvation  of  six  months  in  Southern  prison 
pens. 

The  race  continues,  and  I  am  getting  over  the 
ground  satisfactorily  until  I  suddenly  strike  my 
foot  against  a  grape-vine,  or  some  other  runner, 
and  pitch  heavily  forward  a  long  distance. 

"  I  have  you  now,  Yank,"  panted  my  persistent 
pursuer. 

"  Not  quite,"  I  gasped,  as  I  sprang  up  before  he 
could  put  his  hands  on  me,  although  his  hot 
breath  met  my  cheek,  so  close  was  he.  I  now 
start  to  run  as  I  never  did  before  for  the  next  four 
hundred  or  five  hundred  yards,  when  I  stop  to  take 
breath.  No  stir  in  the  leaves  behind  me,  but  I 
can  hear  a  horseman  rldino^  back  in  the  direction 
of  the  plantation.  I  know  well  his  mission.  He 
is  going  back  for  the  ferocious  bloodhounds  to 
put  on  my  track. 

When  I  ran  away,  I  started  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  from  the  one  we  were  being  taken,  but 
now  I  turn  and  go  In  the  direction  of  Laurens 
Court-House,  makinor  a  complete  circle  and  run- 
ning  on  the  pike  for  several  hundred  yards  in 
about  the  same  portion  of  the  road  I  had  travelled 
before  escaping  from  the  Squire.  This  was  my 
"foxey"  plan   to  confuse  and  delay  the  hounds 


260     THE  FLYING,  GRAY- HAIRED  YANK. 

and  possibly  put  my  pursuers  on  a  wrong  scent. 
I  did  even  better  than  this.  I  got  upon  the  top 
rail  of  the  fence  skirting  the  right  of  the  road, 
and  crawled  along  in  this  manner  for  a  consider- 
able distance  and  then  jumped  off,  making  a  leap 
as  far  to  the  ri^ht  as  I  could  in  doinor  so. 

I  kept  up  a  rapid  pace,  again  circling  to  the 
northwest  and  keeping  far  enough  from  the  road 
to  elude  the  hounds.  It  is  hard  to  realize,  and 
still  harder  to  appreciate  the  sad  position  in  which 
I  now  found  myself.  After  ten  or  fifteen  minutes' 
hard  running,  I  halt  for  breath  and  li'sten  for  the 
yelping  of  the  dogs.  Glad  of  the  stillness  I  renew 
my  flight,  and  ten  minutes  or  so  later  halt  again 
for  a  brief  rest.  The  brightness  of  the  night 
helped  in  my  capture  but  I  find  it  a  blessing  now, 
giving  light  to  my  path. 

It  was  fully  an  hour  after  my  escape  before  I 
heard,  as  I  trotted  along,  the  deep  baying  of  the 
hounds  away  oft"  to  my  left.  The  sickening  sound 
liad  a  heart-sinkine  effect  on  me  for  a  moment,  as 
I  pictured  in  my  mind  the  barbarous  brutes  in  the 
act  of  jumping  for  my  throat.  I  soon  rallied, 
however,  my  good  butcher  knife  and  trusty 
hickory-stick  being  no  small  factors  in  bracing  up 
my  drooping  spirits. 

I  now  directed  my  course  through  such  por- 
tions of  country  on  my  route  as  were  impracti- 
cable for  horseback  riding,  well  satisfied  that 
if  the  hounds  made   rapid  progress,  which  they 


RUN    DOWN    BY    HOUNDS.  26 1 

were  most  assuredly  doing,  the  footmen  would 
be  far  In  the  rear.  On  I  went  until  I  came  to 
a  river  on  my  left.  I  first  thought  of  plunging 
in  and  swimming  to  the  opposite  bank,  but  de- 
cided to  keep  on  the  right  shore  In  the  hope  of 
again  coming  out  on  the  National  pike,  on  which 
I  wanted  to  travel.  Nearer  and  nearer  came  the 
relentless  hounds ;  their  deep  baying  could  now 
be  plainly  heard,  and  far  In  the  rear  the  faint 
shouts  of  the  footmen  could  be  distinguished. 
The  night  was  now  far  advanced  and  the  moon's 
rays  were  not  so  brilliant,  so  I  kept  running  down, 
close  to  the  water's  edge,  where  the  trail  was  more 
open  and  easier  followed.  The  shore  was  covered 
with  a  fine,  light  sand  which  was  very  agreeable 
to  my  tired  feet. 

The  river  here  followed  a  straight  course  for  a 
great  distance  ahead,  and  I  could  see  quite  plainly, 
making  it  comparatively  easy  for  me  to  travel  in 
the  dim  light  of  the  morning.  Looking  ahead  a 
short  time  later,  I  discovered  a  light  far  In  ad- 
vance and  apparendy  close  to  the  river  front.  I 
concluded  it  was  the  fire  of  some  picket,  or  party 
camping  out,  and  at  once  decided  to  flank  the 
position.  But  the  hounds,  the  hellish  blood- 
hounds, were  getting  uncomfortably  nearer.  One, 
greatly  in  advance  of  his  mates,  was  almost  upon 
me.  I  stopped  running,  put  off  my  blanket,  looked 
to  my  knife,  and  rested  for  the  Inevitable  en- 
counter. 


262  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

It  soon  came ;  the  dog,  as  he  neared  his  human 
game,  ran  the  faster.  I  faced  the  brute,  with  his 
glaring  and  bloodshot  eyes  looking  like  two  balls 
of  fire,  and  extended  jaws  from  which  were  drop- 
ping large  drops  of  saliva ;  and  as  he  sprang  for 
my  throat  I  came  down  with  a  crushing  blow  of 
my  cudgel  upon  his  forelegs,  breaking  them,  and 
as  he  fell  from  the  blow,  I  again  struck  him  with 
all  my  might  upon  the  skull.  Finding  I  had  ef- 
fectually disabled  him,  I  picked  up  my  blanket 
and  tying  it  around  my  neck,  I  took  to  the  river 
immediately.  I  thought  I  would  have  to  swim, 
but  found  it  could  be  waded,  although  not  without 
an  effort  to  keep  my  feet,  as  the  w^ater  came  up  to 
my  arm-pits,  or  was  about  four  feet  four  inches 
deep.  I  managed  to  keep  my  blanket  from  get- 
ting wet,  and  scrambling  up  the  other  side  con- 
cealed myself  in  some  brush  and  watched,  in 
safety,  the  approach  of  the  remainder  of  the  dogs. 

They  soon  came  up  and  I  could  faintly  discern 
their  dark  forms  circling  around  their  disabled 
leader.  Presently  one  picked  up  a  trail  somewhat 
farther  in  advance  of  the  point  at  which  I  had 
crossed,  and  the  other  hounds  at  once  followed 
him,  and  I  could  hear  them  as  they  went  flying 
along  down  the  river  shore  on  the  scent,  perhaps, 
of  the  parties  who  had  lighted  the  fire  before 
spoken  of,  some  distance  ahead. 

I  now  clambered  up  a  woody  bluff  overhanging 
the  river  and,  shivering  with  cold  from  my  en- 


TWENTY    MILES    AT    A    STRETCH.  263 

forced  bath,  I  start  ahead  briskly  to  restore  circu- 
lation and  get  my  bearings.  In  about  half  an 
hour  I  was  delighted  to  find  myself  on  the  pike 
ac^ain,  and  the  first  milestone  I  came  to  was 
marked:  "To  Laurens  C.  H. ;  17  miles."  This 
would  seem  to  indicate  that  I  had  travelled  twelve 
miles  in  a  straight  direction  from  the  point  where 
I  had  so  unceremoniously  left  my  escort ;  and  by 
addine  the  circles  I  made  to  this,  it  would  make 
my  run  between  seventeen  and  eighteen  miles.  I 
continued  on  the  road  for  about  three  miles  more, 
when  day  was  pretty  well  advanced,  and  I  filed  to 
the  right  and  into  the  woods  to  look  for  aliiding- 
place. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Captain  Whiteside's  Story — Squirrel  Flat — Keeping  my  Diary 
IN  Blood — Finding.an  Opossum — Providential  Aid — Interview- 
•  ING  the  Darkies — Substantial  Results. 

We  will  now  return  to  Captain  Whiteside,  who 
found  himself  (as  he  states  in  his  letter  to  me)  in 
a  very  uncomfortable  position.  Two  men  re- 
mained with  him,  while  the  others  devoted  their 
attentions  to  me.  When  the  pursuing  party  re- 
turned, after  their  fruitless  chase,  they  were  so 
highly  Incensed  at  my  escape  that  his  life  hung  on 
a  thread  for  some  time.  He  escaped  being  shot 
through  the  intervention  of  one  of  their  number, 
but  they  all  vehemently  avowed  that  if  they  had 
succeeded  In  overhauling  "  that  infernal  flying, 
gray-haired  Yank  "  (with  which  name  they  kindly 
christened  me)  they  would  have  "riddled  him  with 
bullets." 

Squirrel  Flat,  Sunday,  November  1 3//^. — Hav- 
ing no  penclh,  pen,  or  ink,  and  not  wishing  a  blank 
in  my  diary,  I  keep  my  record  for  a  few  days  In  my 
own  blood,  by  opening  one  of  the  small  veins  in 
my  left  arm,  and  using  a  goose-quill,  sharpened 
and  pointed  with  my  indispensable  butcher-knife. 
This  kind  of  treatment  Is  calculated  to  try  an  iron 

constitution.     I  am  chilled  through  after  my  cold 
(264) 


FOOTSOliE   AND    HEARTSICK.  265 

plunge  in  the  river  at  a  time  when  I  was  in  the 
height  of  perspiration,  and  am  fatigued,  footsore, 
and  heartsick  after  my  terrible  race. 

This  is  the  most  desolate  day  I  have  yet  spent, 
all  alone,  suffering  under  accumulative  misfor- 
tunes, and  not  knowing  the  moment  I  may  be 
called  upon  to  undergo  afresh  a  similar  ordeal. 
The  sun  is  coming  out  bright  and  strong,  and  its 
warming  rays  are  very  welcome,  but  it  brings  a 
danoer  with  it  also.  The  woods  all  around  and 
near  me  are  alive  with  barking  squirrels.  If 
hunters  seeking  this  kind  of  game  should  be 
attracted  this  way  I  can  hardly  hope  to  escape 
being  seen,  as  the  place  is  very  level  and  open, 
with  little  or  no  brush  in  it. 

How  many  times,  while  hunting,  would  I  have 
been  delighted  to  alight  upon  such  a  spot,  but 
now  the  frisky  little  creatures  were  a  source  of 
great  annoyance  to  me,  more  especially  as  I  could 
plainly  see  some  habitations  a  short  distance  away. 
But  a  due  observance  of  the  Sabbath  or  a  respect 
for  Sunday  laws,  perhaps,  was  in  my  favor.  The 
advancing  day  and  increasing  heat  are  conducive 
to  sleep,  and,  having  nothing  to  eat,  I  approach 
the  sleepy  god  with  heavy  eyelids  and  an  empty 
stomach,  and  pass  away  to  dreamland,  where  I 
revel  in  a  sumptuous  feast,  spread  in  a  gorgeous 
banqueting-hall,  with  old  Epicurus  and  his  court. 

Night  comes  again,  and  with  it  a  realization  of 
my  deplorable  situation. 


266  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

On  the  march  again,  though  weary,  footsore  and 
badly  used  up  generally.  Have  had  nothing  to 
eat  all  day  and  no  prospect  of  anything.  When 
on  the  road  a  while,  like  an  old  stage-horse  I 
limber  up  and  make  tolerably  good  headway  until 
about  midnight,  when,  while  plodding  along  a  path 
through  the  woods,  faint  and  hungry,  hope  and 
energy  both  exhausted,  my  foot  came  in  contact 
with  something  soft  and  hairy.  I  stooped  down 
and  found  an  opossum,  dead,  as  I  supposed.  If 
not  too  long  dead  I  would,  in  my  present  condi- 
tion, be  compelled  to  eat  it.  I  rolled  him  over, 
and  found  him  rather  limp  for  a  dead  animal.  I 
now  took  hold  of  him  carefully  by  the  tail,  lifting 
him  up,  and  found  him  quite  warm.  Persons  not 
familiar  with  the  nature  of  this  little  animal  would 
scarcely  stop  to  investigate  his  condition,  but  I 
had  previously  witnessed  his  dissimulations,  and 
was  not  to  be  so  easily  fooled.  Taking  him  to  a 
convenient  log,  I  cut  off  his  head  with  my  invalu- 
able butcher-knife. 

This  discovery  was  one  of  the  most  evident  acts 
of  providential  aid  ever  manifested  towards  my 
unworthy  self.  I  do  not  consider  this  and  many 
other  interpositions  of  divine  protection  to  be  due 
to  any  merit  of  my  own,  but  entirely  to  the  pure 
and  earnest  supplications  of  my  devout  and  loving 
wife  and  our  three  little  innocent  children,  whose 
petitions  to  the  throne  of  heaven  were  day  and 
night,  during  the  whole  period  of  my  imprison- 
ment and  escape,  offered  up  for  my  safe  return. 


FEASTING   ON    'POSSUM.  267 

I  left  the  path  for  some  distance,  until  I  heard 
the  rippling  of  a  little  stream,  near  which  I  lighted 
a  fire,  luckily  still  having  a  few  of  the  indispens- 
able matches  with  me.  I  now  skinned  and  cleaned 
the  Opossum,  and,  cutting  a  good-sized  steak,  I 
placed  it  on  a  pointed  stick  and  commenced 
roasting  it  before  the  fire,  the  fat  falling  upon  the 
coals  in  the  operation.  Every  drop  of  this  pre- 
cious juice  I  was  sorry  to  lose,  but  I  had  no  means 
of  saving  it.  The  flavor  arising  from  that  savory 
roast  was  more  pleasing  to  my  olfactories  than 
the  scent  of  water  to  the  thirsty  camel  approach- 
inor  an  oasis  in  the  desert.  Havincr  had  no  meat 
whatsoever,  if  I  except  the  maggoty  bacon  used 
for  grease  while  in  prison,  my  enforced  abstinence 
created  a  consuming  desire  for  fatty  meat  entirely 
unknown  to  persons  who  have  not  had  a  simi- 
larly rough  experience. 

After  my  meal,  and  being  by  this  time  greatly 
refreshed,  I  moved  from  "Opossum  Run,"  got 
upon  the  path  again,  and  looked  for  my  guiding- 
star.  Finding  this  and  faced  to  the  northwest,  I 
pursued  my  course  for  about  an  hour,  when  I  came 
to  a  large  farm-house,  its  appearance  and  sur 
foundings  denoting  a  degree  of  opulence.  Cau- 
tiously reconnoitring  for  some  time,  I  at  length 
approached  one  of  the  outbuildings  and  rapped 
gently  on  the  door.  It  was  timidly  opened  by  an 
individual  whose  color  grave  me  immediate  relief. 
It  was  past  midnight  when  I  appeared  before  the 
17 


268  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

occupants  of  these  humble  "quarters" — a  strap- 
ping young  buck  and  a  buxom,  kinky-haired  girl. 
They  were  badly  scared  at  my  unexpected  and 
no  doubt  somewhat  startling  appearance.  By  the 
flickering  light  I  could  see  their  rolling  black  eyes 
exchano^e  furtive  glances  at  each  other  and  at  me.  * 
I  relieved  their  suspense  by  asking  if  they  had 
ever  seen  a  Yankee  soldier. 

"  No,  sah ;  neber,"  replied  the  buck ;  "  but  \ 
hear'n  massa  tell  a  hull  lot  about  de  Yanks,  an'  as 
how  de  Confedits  kill  an'  whip  dem  at  Manassa', 
an'  den  Bull  Run  dem  ter  Washatin,  an'  most 
capture  Massa  Linkum,  an'  as  how  dere  is  a  hull 
army  o'  Yanks  in  de  prisons  down  Souf." 

The  girl  looked  proudly  at  her  sable  Adonis, 
and  said :  "  Yes,  sah,  I  hear'n  my  missus  say  de 
same  ting." 

"  Well,"  said  I,  "  they  have  both  told  you  a 
good  deal  of  truth.  It  is  true  they  have  a  great 
many  Yankee  prisoners,  and  they  are  treating 
them  very  badly ;  in  fact,  starving  them  slowly  to 
death.  I  am  one  of  them — not  a  dead  one,  it  is 
true,  but  pretty  nearly  so.  I  concluded  a  few 
days  ago  that  I  would  not  stop  with  them  any 
longer,  so  I  ran  away  and  am  now  making  for 
the  Union  lines.  Their  story  is  a  very  old  one, 
however.  Were  they  to  tell  you  of  more  recent 
events,  it  would  put  a  different  phase  on  the 
matter,  and  make  you  colored  people  feel  very 
good.    They  have  not  told  you  of  the  great  battle 


HAPPY    DARKIES.  269 

of  Gettysburg,  where  General  Lee  and  his  great 
army  were  defeated,  and  thousands  of  their  men 
were  killed  and  captured  after  three  days*  hard 
fighting  from  July  i  to  3,  1863.  They  have  not 
told  you  that  Atlanta,  Ga.,  is  taken  by  the 
Unionists,  and  that  one  part  of  the  Yankee  army 
is  going  right  through  the  Confederacy;  nor  how 
the  great  Union  General,  Phil.  Sheridan,  made 
General  Early  and  his  men  fly  so  fast  in  Vir- 
g-inia  that  he  left  all  his  cannon  and  guns  behind 
him." 

"  Yah,  yah,  dat's  good,"  exclaimed  my  atten- 
tive listeners. 

"These  things,"  I  continued,  "occurred  before 
I  stole  out  of  prison  at  Columbia.  At  present  I 
do  not  look  much  like  a*  Yankee  soldier  in  the 
field  does,  but  I  have  been  nearly  seven  months 
starving,  and  have,  as  you  see,  almost  no  cloth- 
ing." I  concluded  by  assuring  them  that,  in  my 
opinion,  they  would  all  be  free  within  a  year  from 
then.  They  appeared  to  believe  me  and  hoped 
for  the  early  arrival  of  the  day  of  jubilee. 

The  girl  then  set  to  work  and  soon  had  me 
something  to  eat.  I  never  saw  a  happier  pair  of 
darkies.  I  did  not  attribute  it  to  the  anticipation 
of  their  near  deliverance,  as  they  could  not  re- 
alize or  appreciate  that  properly,  but  rather  to 
the  possession  of  good  health  and  animal  spirits, 
coupled  with  a  natural  aptitude  for  deriving 
solid  pleasure  from  their   inborn   vivacity ;    and 


270  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED   YANK. 

being  free,  as  they  were,  from  the  cares  and  re- 
sponsibilities that  usually  beset  their  otherwise 
more  fortunate  white  brethren.  This  pair  joked, 
giggled,  and  "  sparked  "  in  my  presence  without 
much  restraint. 

I  now  begin  to  fell  the  need  of  rest  very  much, 
and  after  a  hearty  meal  I  asked  the  girl  if  there 
was  any  place  near-by  where  I  could  hide  until 
next  morning.  After  some  reflection,  she  said 
that  in  the  large  barn  she  thought  I  could  be 
stowed  away  behind  the  plows  and  harrows.  So 
thither  I  was  shortly  conducted  by  the  girl. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Stowed  Away  in  the  Barn — An  Unwelcome  Visitor— A  Tribute 
TO  THE  Colored  Race — •'  Jim  "  Reese  —A  Fortunate  Meeting — 
Runaway  Slaves — The  Hounds  Again. 

Monday,  November  \\th. — Ensconced  in  a 
corner  of  the  big  barn  and  shielded  by  a  good 
deal  of  trumpery,  I  lay  down  on  some  sacks,  with 
some  others  thrown  over  me,  and  slept  soundly. 
It  was  the  first  roof  I  had  slept  under  since  my 
escape  and  for  a  long  time  before. 

About  eight  o'clock  a.  m.  the  door  opened  and 
the  colored  girl  who  had  befriended  me  the  night 
before  came  in.  She  brought  with  her  some 
bread  and  meat,  which  I  proceeded  to  consume 
with  startling  expedition.  I  find  the  day  very 
long  and  feel  very  uncomfortable  with  an  oppres- 
sive sense  of  confinement,  and  wish  for  the  ap- 
proach of  night. 

At  about  eleven  o'clock  a.  m.  the  door  again 

opened.     This  was    not  the   time    of  day  for  a 

friendly  visit,  and  I  felt  somewhat  perturbed  in 

consequence.     I  heard  the  rattling  of  chains  in 

disagreeable    proximity  to  my  hiding-pbce,  and 

was  in  a  quandary  as  to  what  to  do.     I  finally 

obtained    a    glance    at    this    unwelcome   visitor 

(271} 


272  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

through  an  aperture,  and  was  not  very  kindly 
impressed  with  his  appearance.  He  was  a  large 
white  man,  and  walked  heavily,  weighing  prob- 
ably two  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds.  I 
thought  that  he  had  discovered  me,  perhaps,  and 
was  preparing  to  tie  me  or  attempt  to,  with  a 
chain.  To  my  great  relief,  •  however,  he  soon 
found  what  he  was  looking  for  and  departed. 

Late  again  in  the  afternoon  the  negro  girl  got 
an  opportunity  to  visit  me  and  bring  something 
more  to  eat.  I  felt  rather  impatient  at  to-day's 
delay,  but  the  rest  and  food  were  really  essential 
to  my  system  at  this  period  of  my  progress. 

Before  leaving  here,  where  I  have  been  so 
kindly  treated  by  this  poor,  good-natured  slave,  I 
deeply  regret  that  I  have  not  some  of  the  money 
of  which  my  captors  robbed  me,  that  I  might  give 
her  some  substantial  token  of  my  gratitude. 

The  weather  is  growing  disagreeably  colder, 
and  I  feel  the  want  of  gloves.  To  supply  this 
want,  the  kind-hearted  negress  procured  some 
pieces  of  old  cloth,  and  in  a  short  time  had  made 
a  pair  of  "  mits  "  that  served  me  well  for  some 
time  afterwards. 

I  wish  to  put  myself  on  record  right  here  as 
a  warm  champion  of  the  much  abused  colored 
race.  Although  generally  ignorant  and  unedu- 
cated, yet  how  intuitively  noble,  kind,  and  brave 
have  they  acted  toward  me  and  other  unfortunate 
comrades  under  like  circumstances  !     By  betray- 


DIGGING    TURNIPS.  273 

Ing  US  to  their  masters  they  would  have  been 
duly  rewarded  and  appreciated,  while  If  found 
giving  aid  or  comfort  to  escaping  Yankee  sol- 
diers It  would  insure  to  them  punishment,  the  na- 
ture of  which  I  leave  the  reader  to  Infer.  Hence 
their  undoubted  bravery,  as  I  see  it,  in  addition  to 
their  other  virtues. 

I  am,  as  I  learn,  just  five  miles  from  Greenville, 
South  Carolina,  but  have  no  assurance  that  I  am 
on  the  direct  course,  as  my  guides,  the  stars,  are 
hidden  from  view  by  the  clouds,  which  are  dark 
and  heavy,  and  threaten  rain.  There  is  every 
sign  of  disagreeable  weather  ahead  for  some  time 
to  come.  I  keep  up  my  march  this  dark  and 
dreary  night  until  about  midnight,  and,  just  as  a 
drizzling  rain  sets  in,  I  espy  at  a  short  distance 
from  the  road  a  farm-house  with  comfortable  sur- 
roundings. Just  before  reaching  the  house  I  got 
over  the  fence  and  into  the  kitchen  garden,  where, 
after  groping  around  for  a  few  minutes,  I  un- 
earthed three  or  four  good-sized  turnips.  I  now 
noticed  a  small  cabin,  some  twenty  or  thirty  yards 
from  the  house,  and  I  decided  to  try  my  luck  at 
the  humbler  abode.  Approaching,  I  rapped  gently 
once  or  twice,  when  a  voice  on  the  inside  called 
out: 

"Am  dat  yo*,  Jake  ?  " 

•'  No,"  I  replied ;  "  it  is  not  Jake ;  but  I  am  a 
friend.     Please  open  the  door." 

In  due  time  the  door  opened,  but  not  before  the 


274  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

occupant,  a  middle-aged  man,  had  struck  a  light. 
He  came  to  the  door  in  his  bare  head.  He  was 
of  medium  height,  of  stout  build,  and  had  an  intel- 
ligent face.  My  visit  and  appearance  somewhat 
mystified  him,  and  it  was  plain  he  did  not  know 
what  to  make  of  me.  I  then  showed  him  the 
significant  letters,  "  U.  S.,"  on  my  old  gray 
blanket  and  also  my  old  blue  pantaloons. 

He  smiled  kindly,  and  said : 

"I  understand,  sah ;  but  sometimes  de  Confed- 
erates hab  some  of  dem  tings,  an'  try  ter  pass  off 
fo'  Yanks,  ter  see  if  we'd  help  dem." 

This  man,  whose  name  was  Jim  Reese,  and  who 
was  a  slave  of  a  Mr.  Murray,  was  the  most  intel- 
ligent colored  man  I  met  with  during  the  period 
of  my  escape.  I  was  not  long  in  convincing  him 
of  the  genuineness  of  my  personality.  He  was  a 
kind  of  head  man  or  leader  amonor  the  neo^roes  In 
his  neighborhood,  having  a  smattering  of  educa- 
tion and  considerable  mother-wit.  He  was  a  good 
house-carpenter,  and  generally  very  useful  to  his 
master,  who  had  paid  a  large  sum  for  him  a  few 
years  previously.  When  I  entered  Jim's  cabin  I 
was  wet  and  chilled,  but  a  bright  fire  was  soon 
burning,  which,  with  Jim's  cheerfulness,  caused  me 
soon  to  feel  quite  at  home. 

I  asked  him  if  he  could  cook  a  turnip. 

"  Yes,  sah,"  said  he. 

I  took  a  couple  from  my  haversack  and  handed 
them  to  him.  -  As  I  did  so,  he  showed  his  white 


WHICH    WAY   TO    GO.  275 

teeth  as  a  broad  smile  overspread  his  good-natured 
countenance. 

"  I  kno'  whar  yo'  got  dem  tarnips  ;  yo'  done  got 
'em  In  Marse  Murray's  gardyln." 

"Well,  Jim,  I  guess  you  are  about  right,"  said 
I;  "It  may  look  like  I  have  been  making  free  with 
Mr.  Murray's  property,  but  the  gentleman  is 
'  sound  '  I  hope  ?  I  feared  it  might  inconvenience 
him  were  I  to  arouse  him  from  .his  slumbers  to 
secure  his  permission." 

The  darky  Indulged  in  a  suppressed  laugh, 
and  went  to  work  with  a  will  to  prepare  some- 
thing better  than  turnips  for  my  meal. 

After  eating  I  plied  Jim  with  a  number  of  neces- 
sary questions  in  relation  to  my  route.  I  had  two 
points  marked  on  my  map  as  of  equal  practica- 
bility— Walhalla  and  Pickens  Court-House — but 
was  undecided  in  my  mind  which  I  should  adopt. 
I  appealed  to  Jim,  and  he  said  that  I  must  not 
attempt  to  go  by  way  of  Pickens  Court-House,  as 
Captain  Charles  Perkins,  of  the  i6th  South  Caro- 
lina Infantry,  was  there,  and  that  I  "would  hab  a 
mighty  bad  chance  o'  gittin'  past  dar;  Walhalla 
am  de  bes'  way." 

I  saw  the  soundness  of  Jim's  reasoning,  and 
decided  to  adopt  the  latter  route.  He  then  gave 
me  explicit  directions  as  to  my  course  to  Walhalla, 
at  what  point  I  should  strike  the  railroad,  and 
when  I  did  so  I  was  to  keep  upon  and  follow  it. 

"The  fust  big  trussel-bridge  yo'  come  to,"  said 


276  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

he,  "is  jus'  eighteen  miles  from  heah,  and  on  de 
left-hand  side  ob  it  yo'  will  see  a  big  plantation. 
Dey  hab  a  great  lot  o'  cullud  folks  dar ;  my 
Jim  is  one  ob  dem.  His  name  is  Jim  Reese,  too. 
If  yo'  find  him,  and  tell  him  dat  I  sent  yo',    he 

will  do  de  best  he  kin  for  yo'." 

I  was  extremely  fortunate  in  finding  this  well- 
posted  darky,  as  I  was  surely  going  astray  in  the 
early  part  of  the  night. 

I  passed  two  or  three  hours  very  profitably  in 
Jim's  company,  and  he  gradually  became  more 
interested  in  my  welfare.  I  was  a  mile  away  from 
the  direct  road  to  Walhalla,  and  would  have  to 
cross  the  country  in  a  northeasterly  direction  to 
find  it.  My  colored  friend  described  fully  how  I 
should  go,  but  the  night  was  very  dark  and  I  was 
in  doubt  about  finding  the  country  road  referred 
to.  A  happy  thought  then  struck  Jim,  which  re- 
lieved me  of  my  trouble.  He  said  he  was  in  need 
of  some  white  paint  for  a  building  he  had  just 
completed,  which  he  would  have  to  procure  at  a 
small  village  lying  in  the  direction  I  was  to  take, 
and  that  he  would  accompany  me  as  far  as  the 
road.  Going  over  to  his  workshop  for  a  vessel 
to  take  with  him  for  the  paint,  the  dogs,  which  had 
hitherto  remained  perfectly  quiet,  now  set  up  an 
unearthly  howling.  It  took  Jim  some  time  to  quiet 
them,  but  he  finally  did  so. 

He  now  acted  as  guide,  and  in  a  short  time  we 
reached  the  main  road.     I  was  well  posted  as  to 


TWO    NEW    FELLOW-PILGRIMS.  277 

my  route  now,  and  after  a  friendly  farewell  to  my 
trusty  friend,  I  moved  ahead  with  a  comparatively 
light  heart,  feeling  quite  improved  in  health  and 
spirits.  It  was  about  half-past  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning  when  I  bade  my  friend  good-bye ; 
the  road  was  in  fair  condition  and  pleasant  to 
travel  on,  and  I  was  making  about  four  miles  an 
hour,  when  I  espied  in  my  front  two  men  going 
in  the  same  direction  as  myself.  I  thereupon 
slackened  my  pace  a  little,  thinking  it  not  prudent 
to  encounter  them  while  in  doubt  as  to  whether 
they  were  enemies  or  friends.  They  kept  looking 
behind  and  at  me  continually,  which,  as  will  be 
seen  later,  was  natural  under  the  circumstances. 

I  now  found  that  they  had  checked  their  pace 
also,  which  action  on  their  part  made  me  some- 
what apprehensive  of  coming  trouble.  I  felt  for 
my  knife,  a  highly  useful  article,  as  the  reader  has 
by  this  time  learned.  I  was  not  at  all  desirous 
of  using  it  upon  my  fellow-man,  and  I  thank  God 
I  have  never  yet  done  so,  but  self-preservation 
being  the  "  first  law  of  nature,"  I  was  determined 
to  give  a  good  account  of  myself  should  the 
emergency  require  it. 

The  men  in  front  were  walking  still  slower,  so 
I  put  on  a  bold  front  and  walked  rapidly  forward 
until  I  came  up  with  them.  Each  was  carrying  a 
heavy  club.  I  do  not  know  what  the  size  of 
Hercules'  walking  stick  was,  but  I  am  sure  that 
these  two  young  giants,  who  would  not  have  dis- 


278  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

graced  the  sireship  of  that  famous  son  of  Jupiter, 
carried  canes  in  perfect  keeping  with  their  enor- 
mous bulk.  I  discovered,  on  closer  examination, 
that  if  Hercules  denied  their  paternity.  Ham  could 
not,  an  agreeable  fact  which  relieved  me  greatly. 

I  spoke  first  and  said  : 

"  Good-morning,  boys." 

They  replied  very  sullenly  and  eyed  me  sus- 
piciously for  a  while. 

I  asked  if  they  were  going  far. 

One  answered .  "A  little  this  side  of  Slabtown." 

I  took  this  to  be  slang,  or  an  evasion,  but  after- 
wards found  that  there  was  such  a  villao^e  a  short 
distance  ahead.  In  a  short  time  a  few  mutual 
confidences  passed  between  us : 

"Ain't  you  a  Yankee  officer  ?  "  asked  one. 

"  Why  do  you  think  so  ?  "  I  queried  in  return. 

"  Don't  mean  no  harm,  sah ;  but  we  just  met 
tree  offcers  'scapin'  from  prison,  an'  tought  you 
might  be  one,  too,"  said  the  spokesman  apolo- 
getically. 

I  had  no  further  object  In  concealing  the  truth 
from  them,  and  admitted  the  correctness  of  their 
surmise.  They  then  became  very  friendly  and  told 
me  their  troubles.  They  were,  like  myself,  fleeing 
from  captivity,  but  with  this  difference :  they  had 
never  seen  the  dawn  of  freedom.  Their  names 
were,  they  said,  Willis  and  Stephens.  The  for- 
mer was  six  feet  hiorh  and  weighed  about  two 
hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds ;  the  latter  was 


THE   fugitives'    STORY.  279 

about  five  feet  eleven  Inches,  and  would  weio-h 
not  less  than  two  hundred  pounds.  Both  were 
about  twenty-four  or  twenty-five  years  of  age, 
and  some  white  blood  coursed  through  the  veins 
of  each. 

The  cause  of  their  running  away  was  brutal 
treatment  received  at  the  hands  of  their  respective 
masters,  for  the  crime  of  going  to  see  their  dusky 
sweethearts,  on  a  neighboring  plantation,  too 
early  on  the  Saturday  evening  previous.  Willis 
told  me  that  he  was  the  property  of  a  Mr.  McCul- 
lough ;  that  a  son  of  McCullough's,  who  was  an 
officer  in  the  rebel  army,  and  then  home  on  a 
furlough,  had  tied  him  to  a  stump  with  a  chain 
and  unmercifully  lashed  him  with  a  "  black-snake  " 
whip.  Stephens,  on  his  part,  had  received  equally 
as  severe  punishment  from  his  master 

So  we  find  these  two  young  darkies,  who  lived 
not  far  apart,  deeply  sympathizing  with  one 
another  and  deciding  to  make  a  joint  effort  to 
escape  into  the  Union  lines.  When  I  met  them 
they  were  about  eighteen  or  twenty  miles  from 
the  plantations  of  their  masters,  and  were  hurry- 
ing forward  to  the  **  land  of  promise.'* 

We  continued  together  for  some  time,  making 
good  progress  and  chatting  familiarly  the  while, 
but  I  was  not  at  ease.  I  had  often  before  re- 
flected on  the  desolateness  of  being  alone  while 
travelling  In  an  unknown  country,  but  now  I  would 
have  much  preferred  it  to  my  present  company. 


28o  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

Pursuit  of  them  in  the  morning  was  certain,  and 
the  manner  of  it,  I  felt  equally  certain,  would  be 
with  horsemen  and  hounds.  My  chances  if  cap- 
tured under  ordinary  circumstances  would  be 
slim  enough,  but  being  caught  in  the  company 
of  runaway  negroes  would  most  certainly  insure 
my  quick  despatch,  and  possibly  that  of  the  poor 
slaves  also.  But  w^hatever  chance  of  life  they 
might  have  owing  to  their  commercial  value,  I 
could  expect  none,  as  the  presumption  would  be 
too  strong  that  I  was  conducting  the  negroes 
away,  an  unpardonable  offence  in  the  South  in 
those  days.  Therefore  I  told  them  we  should 
have  to  part  company,  explaining  to  them  the 
great  risk  I  ran  in  continuing  with  them. 

They  begged  most  piteously  to  be  allowed  to 
remain  with  me,  promising  to  serve  me  as  long 
as  I  wished  after  getUng  through.  I  told  them 
that  there  were  no  unpaid  servants  at  the  North; 
that  they  were  at  liberty  to  go  where  they  pleased 
there,  and  nobody  would  dispute  their  right. 
They  told  me,  however,  that  they  were  afraid 
they  could  not  find  their  way,  as  they  would  be 
compelled,  as  a  matter  of  course,  to  travel  entirely 
by  night  and  confine  all  their  queries  for  informa- 
tion to  the  colored  people  along  their  route, 
who  would  not,  as  a  rule,  know  any  more  about 
their   proper    course    than   did   the    fugitives. 

I  fully  appreciated  the  sad  predicament  of  the 
unfortunate  negroes  in  this  particular,  as  even  in- 


PERSISTENT   COMPANIONS.  28l 

telllgent  and  well-posted  officers  had  frequently 
failed  to  make  their  way  safely  through  that  long 
tramp ;  but  I  could  not  allow  my  sympathies  to 
jeopardize  my  own  safety  without  in  any  way  in- 
suring theirs,  so  bidding  them  "good-bye,"  I 
spurted  ahead,  determined  to  leave  them  behind. 
They  had  travelled  fast  and  far  that  night,  and  I 
expected  to  have  no  difficulty  in  distancing  them  ; 
but  to  my  surprise  and  annoyance  they  still 
followed  close  at  my  heels,  making  prodigious 
efforts  to  keep  me  in  sight.  Our  strides  on  this 
occasion  would  compare  favorably  with  those  of 
a  Weston  or  an  O'Leary. 

The  race  continued  on  these  terms  until  dawn 
of  day,  when  I  filed  from  the  main  road  into  an 
open  woods.,  Before  doing  so,  I  looked  back  and 
found  the  persistent  darkies  in  full  swing  after 
me.  After  penetrating  a  litde  farther  into  the 
woods,  I  came  to  a  halt  under  a  large  tree  and 
waited  for  them  to  come  up.  I  thought  it  use- 
less to  show  anger  at  their  action,  and  so  be- 
came resigned  to  whatever  fate  might  have  in 
store  for  me. 

"What  do  you  intend  doing  in  case  you  are 
pursued  and  found  here  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  We  shall  fight  for  our  lives,"  was  the  resolute 
reply  of  both. 

"I  like  your  pluck,"  said  I,  "for  that  is  your 
only  alternative." 

I  then  instructed  them  in  what  they  should  do^ 


282  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED   YANK. 

placing  each  under  a  tree,  so  that  in  our  positions 
we  formed  a  trianele.  When  the  hounds  should 
come  up,  all  were  to  lay  on  thick  and  heavy  upon 
their  legs  with  our  clubs  until  we  disabled  them, 
and  then  run  from  the  horsemen,  who  by  this 
time  would  in  all  probability  be  upon  us,  we 
dodging  behind  trees  as  we  ran  to  escape  their 
fire. 

The  runaways  appeared  to  understand  their 
parts  and  were  willing  to  perform  them.  With 
their  great  hickory  clubs,  and  the  power  to  wield 
them  which  they  possessed,  I  thought  them  fully 
capable  of  felling  an  ox  if  needs  be. 

The  morninof  was  calm  and  the  air  salubrious, 
although  boding  no  good  health  for  us.  We 
could  not  think  of  lying  down  or  of  going  to 
sleep,  as  pursuit  of  the  two  fugitive  slaves  was  a 
certainty,  and  the  natural  and  most  direct  route 
northward  the  first  one  their  pursuing  masters 
would  follow.  If  well  posted,  these  runaways 
would  have  taken  a  more  circuitous  course  at  the 
start,  as  being  the  one  most  likely  to  baffle  their 
masters. 

About  nine  o'clock,  and  when  we  were  begin- 
ning to  hope  that  our  fears  were  unfounded,  we 
hear  far  away  in  the  rear  the  sickening  sound  of 
the  barbarous  Siberian  hounds. 

r 

At  first  we  fancy  they,  perhaps,  are  on  another  trail, 
To  civilization  and  to  sporting  fame  more  in  accord ; 

God  send  such  luck,  we  pray,  and  may  it  now  prevail; 

In  our  sad  plight,  blacks  and  white  alike,  lean  on  the  Lord. 


A   HAPPY   DELIVERANCE.  283 

But  our  hopes  are  ebbing  fast,  our  spirits  sinking  low ; 
Upon  the  hreeze  comes  wafting  a  sound  too  well  we  know : 
Louder  yet  we  hear  it,  that  deep-toned  hellish  cry ; 
The  darkies  grip  their  clubs  more  tight,  prepared  to  do  or  die. 

Away  five  hundred  yards  or  so,  their  noses  near  the  ground, 
In  Indian  file,  come  dashing  on  the  gaunt  and  cruel  hound ; 
"With  increasing  speed  we  see  them  come,  two  hundred  yards  away; 
The  negroes'  faces  now  grow  white — they  think  of  Judgment  Day. 

But  God,  who  heard  the  raven's  cry,  as  comrade  Whiteside  said 
A  nimble  creature  of  ^is  make  put  in  her  covert  bed, 
And  when  the  dogs  came  bounding  on  to  where  this  rabbit  lay. 
She  jumped  right  up  before  them  and  bounded  quick  away. 

The  leading  hound  sets  up  a  yelp  and  after  **  bunny  "  goes; 
Around  and  round  we  see  them  run,  our  little  friend  and  foes; 
We  breathe  a  prayer  of  silent  thanks  to  Him  who  doth  ordain 
Protection  to  all  children  that  in  His  path  remain. 

18 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

Parting  from  the   Runaways — Discouraged — A  Close   Shave — 
More  Friends — Almost  Caught — The  Third  Scare. 

I  HESITATED  no  lonofer,  but  now  told  Willis  and 
Stephens  in  plain  terms  that  we  must  part  for 
good.  Before  leaving,  however,  I  gave  them  a 
good  general  idea  of  how  they  should  go :  to 
Walhalla;  to  Franklin;  to  Rabens'  Gap;  over  the 
Blue  Ridcre  Mountains  in  North  Carolina  to  Cagfe 
Cove,  East  Tennessee,  and  thence  to  Knoxville, 
where  the  "boys  in  blue"  were. 

I  lost  no  time  in  getting  away.  I  crossed  over 
and  ran  for  some  distance  on  the  trail  which  the 
hounds  had  taken  in  comang  down,  and  then  took 
off  to  the  right,  keeping  in  the  least  frequented 
places  I  could  find,  until  I  was  about  two  miles 
from  where  I  had  left  the  neofroes.  I  could  hear 
the  hateful,  discordant  yelping  of  the  dogs  grad- 
ually dying  out  and  I  felt  much  relieved.  That 
was  the  last  I  saw  of  the  two  darkies ;  I  hope 
they  reached  the  North  safely,  but  there  were 
many  chances  against  their  doing  so.  I  managed 
to  get  a  little  sleep  during  the  afternoon,  but  it 
was  un refreshing  and  unsatisfactory,  being  broken 

by  dreams  of  imaginary  perils. 
(284) 


"WHO    GOES    THERE?  285 

Tuesday  nighty  November  i^th. — Fatigued, 
hungry  and  foot-sore.  For  the  first  time,  I  regret 
that  I  have  made  the  awful  trial.  Saw  several 
fires  in  the  woods  with  small  parties  around  them. 
After  travelling  for  about  two  hours,  very  slowly 
at  first,  but  improving  a  little  as  I  progressed,  I 
heard  the  pesky  hounds  again,  but  from  the  direc- 
tion and  distance  of  the  sounds  I  did  not  appre- 
hend any  danger.  How  often  have  I  heard  with 
delight  the  deep-toned  and  mellow  music  of  the 
hounds  and,  boy-like,  joined  with  them  in  the 
exciting  fox-chase.  Many  a  long  fast  and  severe 
drubbing  have  been  my  punishment,  when  a  lad  in 
Ireland,  for  playing  truant  to  follow  the  Erycourt 
and  Bannagher  "  packs  ;  "  but  now  I  am  sick  of 
the  music  I  once  thought  so  thrilling. 

Plodding  along,  ruminating  on  my  hafd  luck,  I 
start  the  ascent  of  a  hill  of  some  steepness,  and 
at  a  point  where  the  road  took  a  sharp  turn  to 
the  left,  I  see  a  cross  or  branch  road  a  short  dis- 
tance in  front.  Scarcely  had  I  made  this  dis- 
covery when  I  was  challenged  with : 

"  Who  goes  there  ?  " 

I  made  no  answer  but  continued  to  advance 
towards  the  sentinel.  Misfortunes  were  crowd- 
ing too  fast  upon  me,  and  for  a  moment  I  thought 
of  giving  myself  up,  and  so  ending  the  heart- 
breaking worry,  fatigue  and  never-ending  struggle 
for  food.  But  a  second  later  my  mind  underwent 
a  complete  change.     It  was  now  death  or  no  sur- 


286  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

render,  and,  turning,  I  dashed  away  down  the 
declivity  in  the  direction  whence  I  came,  just  as  a 
whistling  bullet  passed  by  my  ear  as  a  parting 
salute.  Leaving  the  road,  I  now  took  to  the  fields 
and  ran  for  a  long  distance  contrary  to  my  direct 
route,  oblivious  to  any  physical  defects  resulting 
from  fatigue  or  other  causes.  There  was  no  pur- 
suit, however,  and  I  soon  after  checked  my  pace 
and  again  changed  my  course.  Doubtless  the 
sentinel  who  fired  upon  me  thought  the  disturber 
nothing  more  than  a  speculative  darky  out  in 
quest  of  a  chicken,  and  perhaps  indulged  in  a 
smile  as  he  saw  him  split  the  wind  when  his 
musket  cracked.  After  a  good  many  roundabout 
movements,  I  came  upon  the  road  again,  on 
which  I  continued  without  incident,  until  once 
more  I  turn  off  and  seek  a  hiding-place. 

Wednesday,  November  i6th. — About  twelve 
o'clock,  midnight,  while  gliding  along  at  a  fair 
gait,  being  pretty  thoroughly  warmed  and  lim- 
bered up,  I  espied  on  my  left  a  commodious  and 
comfortable-looking  dwelling,  and  at  a  respectful 
or  convenient  distance  from  it  could  be  seen  a 
small  cabin.  I  approached  the  latter  cautiously, 
but  rapped  confidently.  I  was  becoming  well 
posted  as  to  where  I  should  be  the  most  likely  to 
find  friends.  Nor  was  I  mistaken  now.  The 
door  opened  and  a  thoroughbred  African,  stout 
and  well  built,  with  a  large  shock  of  thick,  black, 
woolly  hair,  peered  curiously  at  me.     I  explained 


A   SHOW    FOR   THE    NEGROES.  287 

to  him  the  reasons  for  my  late  call ;  told  him  that 
I  had  met,  a  day  or  so  before,  a  very  fine  old  col- 
ored man  in  the  person  of  Jim  Reese,  with  whom 
perhaps  he  was  acquainted  ;  adding  that  my  ex- 
periences with  the  colored  folks  thus  far  had  been 
pleasant  ones,  etc. 

He  invited  me  in,  stirred  up  the  log  fire  and 
told  me  to  come  nearer  to  it.  He  then  retired  to 
an  adjoining  apartment.  I  could  hear  some  move- 
ments and  low  whisperings  on  the  inside,  and 
presently  my  friend  returned,  and  said: 

*'If  yo'  have  no  jections,  de  odder  uns  inside 
(nodding  to  the  door  of  the  inner  apartment) 
would  like  fo'  to  see  yo'." 

"AH  right,"  was  my  reply,  cheerfully;"!  am 
satisfied,  if  my  appearance  does  not  frighten 
them." 

"Joe"  (for  that  was  his  name)  went  inside 
again,  and  soon  returned  followed  by  another 
darky  much  taller  and  more  slender  than  him- 
self. This  latter  negro  was  very  shy  and  respect- 
ful, although  there  was  quite  a  strain  of  humor 
apparent  in  the  twinkle  of  his  eye.  He,  in  turn, 
was  followed  by  the  eldest  of  the  inmates,  a  man 
probably  fifty  years  of  age,  and  evidently  the  head 
of  the  household.  In  a  short  time  there  were  four 
men  and  two  women  in  the  room.  They  were  all 
plantation  hands  and  very  ignorant. 

From  the  account  given  me  they  were  receiving 
rather   rough   treatment  at  the  hands  of  their 


288  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

master.  They  were  rarely  permitted,  they  told 
me,  to  leave  the  plantation,  and  then  only  for  a 
short  distance,  and  of  course  knew  nothing  of  how 
the  outside  world  was  getting  on.  Of  the  great 
war  then  in  progress  they  had  heard  a  little,  and 
had  a  faint  idea  of  its  cause,  but  they  could  not 
realize  or  appreciate  the  stream  of  human  blood 
that  was  being  spilled  in  that  deadly  struggle,  of 
which  they  and  their  race  were  a  moving  though 
innocent  cause. 

What  little  information  they  did  possess  was 
altogether  one-sided.  The  Yankees  were  invari- 
ably getting  whipped  and  the  rebels  were  always 
victorious.  I  took  the  opportunity  to  relate  a 
chapter  of  our  side  of  the  story,  describing  as 
best  I  could  some  of  the  late  victories  of  the  Union 
forces,  and  predicting  a  speedy  termination  of  the 
war  with  the  slaves  all  free.  They  listened  atten- 
tively and  appeared  to  derive  a  great  deal  of  sat- 
isfaction from  the  news. 

"  Oh,  golly,  Joe,  do  yo'  heah  dat  ?  an*  Massa 
Henry  say  all  de  time  dat  de  Yanks  am  gettin* 
whipped,"  remarked  the  slim  fellow,  throwing  up 
his  hands  and  indulging  in  the  most  comical 
suppressed  laugh  imaginable,  in  which  all  present 
joined  heartily. 

By  this  time  they  were  all  in  good  humor  and 
intent  on  being  hospitable.     Said  one : 

"  Boss,  I  s'pose  youse  hungry,  ain't  yo'  ?  '* 

"  Yes,"  1  reply,  "  but  Fm  used  to  it." 


"GO    WAY    FROM    DAT    DO.  289 

"Well,  we  ain't  got  much,"  said  another,  "but 
we'll  knock  aroun'  an'  do  de  bes'  we  kin  fo'  yo'." 

In  a  short  time  they  placed  before  me  some 
corn-bread  and  fat  pork  (the  only  food  they  had), 
but  I  relished  it,  and  ate  plentifully  of  it. 

I  now  took  leave  of  these  kind  and  good- 
natured  chattels,  being  well  rested  and  thoroughly 
warmed,  and  started  on  my  way,  if  not  rejoicing 
at  least  decidedly  improved  in  condition  and 
spirits.  Half  an  hour  later  I  came  in  view  of  the 
railroad  that  I  had  been  anxiously  looking  out 
for.  After  travelling  for  about  a  mile  on  the 
track  I  came  to  a  trestle-work  spanning  a  ravine. 
I  thought  perhaps  this  might  be  the  locality  where 
Jim  Reese  had  directed  me  to  find  his  son  and 
namesake,  although  it  did  not  quite  correspond 
with  the  description  he  had  given  me.  I  discov- 
ered a  cluster  of  cabins  on  the  left,  and  selecting 
the  poorest  looking  one  of  the  group,  I  ap- 
proached and  rapped.  I  was  answered  in  a  shrill 
voice  from  the  inside,  with : 

"  What  yo'  want  out  dar  ?  " 

"  I  want  to  get  in." 

*'  We  don't  'low  no  men  folks  in  heah." 

"  Can't  you  let  me  in  for  a  short  time  while  I 
talk  to  you  ?  " 

"  No,  sah,  yo'  go  on  way  from  dat  do',  yo'  heah?  " 
indignantly. 

"  Is  there  a  colored  man  named  Jim  Reese  on 
this  plantation  ?  "  I  asked. 


290  THE    FLYING    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

*'  Go  on  ober  to  de  big  house  ober  dar;  de  men 
folks  will  tell  yo'." 

The  cabin  to  which  the  girl  directed  me  was 
the  best-looking  one  on  the  premises,  and  I  had 
serious  doubts  of  the  prudence  of  arousing  the 
inmates.  Sure  enough  I  did  awaken  the  wrong 
man  this  time,  the  first  and  last  mistake  that  I 
made  of  this  kind.  When  the  door  opened,  there 
stood  before  me  a  large  white  man,  over  six  feet 
tall,  with  full  bushy  whiskers  of  a  fiery  red  color 
and  carrying  in  his  hand  a  shot-gun.  Promptness 
and  tact  alone  (qualities  I  cannot,  as  a  rule,  lay 
claim  to)  could  save  me  now. 

*'  Have  you  a  colored  man  named  Reese  in 
your  '  quarters,*  sir  ?  "  I  asked  in  a  quick,  business- 
like manner. 

"  No,  sir,"  was  the  curt  reply. 

"  Beg  pardon  ;  sorry  to  have  disturbed  you,  but 
I  have  been  misinformed,"  said  I,  at  the  same  time 
turning  around  and  in  a  loud  voice  calling  out,  as 
if  addressing  a  party  at  a  distance  from  the  house, 
"  Move  on,  John  ;  he  is  not  here."  This  all  took 
place  in  a  very  short  space  of  time  and  if  **  John  " 
did  not  move  on,  I  know  I  did,  and  that  too  in 
double-quick  order.  I  continued  on  the  run  until 
well  out  of  slo^ht  and  g^unshot  distance  when,  find- 
ing  no  pursuit,  I  proceeded  more  leisurely. 

While  tramping  along  some  time  later  I  saw  a 
camp-fire  In  the  woods  about  one  hundred  yards 
from  the  railroad.  I  was  almost  certain  that  it 
was  the  camp  of  some  runaway  prisoners,  like 


A   SPOILED   JOKE.  29I 

myself,  who  had  made  a  fire  to  cook  their  food 
and  to  warm  themselves.  I  could  not  think  of 
any  other  cause  for  a  camp  in  such  an  isolated 
location.  Leaving  the  track,  I  went  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  fire,  determined  to  give  my  supposed 
foolhardy  comrades  a  scare.  The  leaves  were 
dry  and  crackled  under  my  feet,  so  I  walked  slowly 
and  cautiously  until  I  could  see  by  the  flickering 
light  a  half  dozen  recumbent  figures  around  the 
dying  blaze. 

Upon  getting  nearer,  I  noticed  that  they  had 
erected  a  rude  structure  of  logs,  with  no  roof, 
probably  ten  by  twelve  feet  square  and  three  feet 
high.  This  latter  fact  caused  me  some  uneasi- 
ness, so  I  got  down  on  all-fours  and  crept  still 
nearer,  but  came  to  a  dead  stop  on  making  a  dis- 
covery. Those  were  no  harmless  walking-canes 
resting  upon  the  logs  and  pointing  in  my  direction. 
No,  I  was  only  ten  yards  away  and  could  not  be 
mistaken ;  they  were  guns.  That  their  owners 
were,  happily  for  me,  in  the  tender  embrace  of 
Morpheus  is  the  reason,  perhaps,  that  I  am  left  to 
tell  the  tale. 

The  intended  joke  had  recoiled  upon  myself, 
and  I  was  the  scared  party.  I  craw-fished  back 
as  stealthily  and  nearly  as  lightly  as  a  cat,  keeping 
my  eyes  bent  in  the  direction  of  the  sleepers  until 
I  was  a  safe  distance  away  and  again  upon  the 
railroad.  I  concluded  that  the  soldiers  composing 
this  party  must  have  been  detailed  to  cut  fire- 
wood for  the  use  of  their  army. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

An  Inquisitive  Stranger — Meeting  with  Six  Escaping  Officers 
— A  Cruel  Blow — Alone  Again. 

Breathing  a  sigh  of  profound  relief,  and  medi- 
tating on  the  incidents  of  the  night,  I  proceeded 
on  my  way,  with  my  head  down,  and  picking  my 
steps  on  the  cross-ties.  I  had  not  gone  far  when 
my  attention  was  attracted  by  hearing  footsteps 
in  my  front.  Looking  up,  I  saw  a  man  approach- 
ing; as  he  neared  me,  he  said: 

"  Good-morning,  sir." 

I  returned  the  salutation,  and  kept  slowly  mov- 
ing ahead. 

**  You  are  travelling  late,'*  said  the  stranger. 

"  Yes;  a  little  like  yourself  in  that  respect^"  was 
my  reply. 

He  showed  a  disposition  to  move  after  me,  and 
said  that  he  would  like  to  ask  me  a  few  questions. 
I  told  him,  In  reply,  that  I  hadn't  time  to  accom- 
modate him  just  then,  and  added:  "I  am  not  in- 
quisitive myself,  and  do  not  recognize  your  right 
to  be  so." 

He  seemed  for  some  time  undecided  what  to 

do,  and  stopped  where  he  was  until  I  had  gone  a 

good  distance.     He  was  quite  a  stout  fellow,  and 
(292) 


A   STARTLING    MEETING.  293 

I  feared  at  one  time  that  we  were  going  to  have 
an  encounter. 

It  was  approaching  dayHght  when  I  got  upon 
the  long  trestle-work  previously  spoken  of  by  old 
man  Reese.  It  was  not  yet  light  enough  to  see 
the  plantation  on  the  left,  and  I  crossed  entirely 
over  the  structure,  and  reached  a  thickly  wooded 
place  on  the  northern  end  before  I  discovered 
that  the  place  I  was  in  search  of  lay  on  the  oppo- 
site end.  I  sat  down  on  a  loof  in  the  woods,  in 
view  of  the  railroad,  undetermined  what  to  do. 
I  was  fast  losing  the  chance  of  seeing  young  Reese, 
from  whom  I  expected  to  get  some  needed  assist- 
ance. 

Day  was  breaking  now,  and  I  could  see  the 
plantation.  As  it  would  not  be  practicable  to  go 
to  the  place  in  daytime,  I  must  act  quickly  or  not 
at  all.  I  started  to  retrace  my  steps,  but  when 
about  half-way  over  I  saw  in  the  dim,  uncertain 
light  of  morning  a  squad  of  men  coming  towards 
me.  Here  was  a  predicament  in  earnest.  I  could 
not  jump  off,  and  running  on  the  narrow  ties  was 
out  of  the  question  ;  I  therefore  determined  to 
brave  it  out.  We  met  full  abreast,  and  halted  and 
looked  at  each  other.  The  first  words  uttered 
were : 

*'  My  God,  Egan  ;  is  that  you  ?"  spoken  with  a 
decided  accent  on  the  last  syllable  of  my  name. 
The  speaker  was  Lieutenant  Thomas  B.  De- 
Weese,  of  the  2d  United  States  Cavalry,  and  his 


294  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

companions  were  Captains  V.  K.  Hart  and  Charles 
S.  Kimball,  and  Lieutenants  William  Nelson,  O. 
W.  Dimick,  and  Charles  G.  Davis,  three  from  the 
regular  army  and  three  from  the  volunteer  ser- 
vice, all  of  whom  I  have  mentioned  as  meetincf  in 
another  part  of  this  book.  We  were  all  feeling 
decidedly  uncomfortable  until  we  made  the  mu- 
tually pleasing  discovery  that  we  were  comrades 
and  fellow-sufferers,  engaged  in  the  same  hazard- 
ous mission. 

To  one  who,  like  myself,  had  passed  through 
so  many  trials  in  my  lonely  tramp,  the  companion- 
ship of  these  gentlemen  was  an  agreeable  chani^e 
indeed.  I  realized,  as  never  before,  the  truthful- 
ness of  the  divine  proposition,  "  It  is  not  well  for 
man  to  be  alone."  I  abandoned  my  intention  of 
seeking  young  Reese,  and  returned  with  my  com- 
panions to  the  woods. 

Thursday,  November  i  "jth. — A  nice,  pleasant  day, 
and  I  found  it  doubly  agreeable  in  comparison 
with  those  lately  spent  by  me  in  loneliness  and 
solitude.  We  had  a  refreshing  wash,  but  very 
little  to  eat.  We  found  a  shady  dell,  where  we 
enjoyed  a  calm  and  uninterrupted  repose  of  some 
hours  to  prepare  us  for  the  night's  march.  It  was 
strange,  but  fortunate,  that  we  had  an  officer  with 
us  who  had  a  fair  knowledge  of  the  locality  we 
were  now  in.  Lieutenant  DeWeese,  having  been 
an  assistant-engineer  on  the  division  of  the  rail- 
road we  were  following,  some  years  before  the 


UNCEREMONIOUSLY    DISMISSED.  295 

war,  was  the  guide  of  his  party,  and  continued  to 
act  as  such  to  the  end ;  his  route,  however,  was 
the  same  as  the  one  I  had  mapped  out,  and  was 
following  with  comparative  accuracy  at  the  time  I 
met  his  party. 

As  evening  approached,  and  while  preparing 
for  the  night's  march,  the  six  officers  held  a  pri- 
vate conversation  among  themselves.  I  thought 
it  rather  strange  that  they  did  not  wish  me  to 
hear  what  they  had  to  say,  but  I  soon  learned  the 
topic  of  their  conference.  When  they  had  finished 
talking,  they  came  forward  and  told  me  that  they 
were  sorry  to  inform  me  that  we  should  have  to 
part  company,  as  their  party  was  already  too 
large,  and  that  any  further  addition  to  it  would 
endanger  their  safety. 

To  say  that  this  announcement  stunned  me  but 
faintly  describes  its  effect.  I  can  liken  it  to  noth- 
ing but  the  sensation  one  experiences  when  a 
little  cold  steel  is  being  inserted  into  the  region 
of  one's  short  ribs.  I  realized,  however,  that  there 
might  be  a  grain  of  truth  in  what  they  had  said, 
and  even  if  I  had  not  realized  this  I  was  too  proud 
to  permit  my  feelings  to  be  shown  in  my  face  or 
manner,  and  simply  replied : 

**  What  you  say  is  doubtless  true,  gentlemen ; 
large  bodies  move  slowly.  It  is  not  my  wish  to 
further  impede  your  progress  or  endanger  your 
safety  by  my  unwelcome  presence  among  you. 
I  am  *  as  independent  as  a  wood-sawyer.'     I  was 


296  THE    FLYING;,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

equal  to  the  situation  before  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  you,  and  I  am  fully  as  competent  now 
to  continue  so ;  you  may  either  precede  or  follow 
me,  as  you  elect." 

They  went  ahead,  and  I  remained  standing 
■where  I  was  until  they  were  long  out  of  sight,  but 
I  could  not  help  feeling  as  though  this  last  was 
indeed  "the  unkindest  cut  of  all." 

Reader,  I  appeal  to  you :  was  there  any  chiv- 
alry, loyalty,  or  fraternity  in  this  unmerited  slight 
put  upon  me  by  my  fellow-comrades,  at  a  time 
when  such  an  action  would  be  most  keenly  felt? 
The  addition  of  one  man  to  their  number  could 
hardly  in  reason  be  considered  a  very  large  factor 
in  their  sum  of  danger.  You  will  see  later  how 
they  also  came  to  this  conclusion. 

Finally,  I  started  on  my  weary  and  now  doubly 
lonesome  pilgrimage,  and  had  been  on  the  march 
about  an  hour,  keeping  on  the  railroad  track  and 
in  the  direction  of  Walhalla,  when  I  saw  a  light 
from  a  fire  some  distance  ahead  on  the  edge  of 
the  track.  About  the  same  time  I  noticed,  a  few 
yards  in  front,  some  men  on  the  track  approach- 
ing me.  I  got  off  to  the  left,  and  lay  down  in  some 
scrubby  brushwood,  and  awaited  their  advance. 
As  they  filed  by  me,  six  in  number,  I  recognized 
the  officers  with  whom  I  ha.d  parted  an  hour 
before.  They  had  evidently  seen  the  light  in  our 
front  some  time  before  I  came  up,  but  must  have 
halted  to  rest  or  hold  a  council,  thereby  enabling 


A  NECK  AND  NECK  RACE.         297 

me  to  overtake  them.  At  all  events,  they  were 
now  beating  a  retreat.  When  nearly  opposite 
where  I  lay  they  got  into  a  field,  made  a  wide 
circle,  and  flanked  the  fire  ahead.  On  the  other 
hand,  I  kept  right  on,  going  slowly  and  cautiously 
as  I  neared  the  blaze.  It  proved  to  be  a  bonfire 
lighted  by  some  children,  who  were  even  then 
playing  around  it.      I  passed  unnoticed. 

Finding  that  I  was  now  unexpectedly  in  the 
lead,  I  determined  to  keep  it.  To  do  so  I  in- 
creased my  gait,  putting  my  whole  heart  into  the 
effort,  wounded  pride  and  self-pity  urging  me  on. 
The  night  was  pretty  far  advanced  and  a  drizzling 
rain  had  set  in,  when  I  came  in  si^ht  of  a  lon<:, 
straoralinor  villaore.  It  was  Walhalla.  I  could  see 
a  nurnber  of  street  lamps  extending  away  into  the 
perspective,  and  concluded  that  it  would  scarcely 
be  safe  to  venture  through  the  town.  Accord- 
ingly, I  took  the  woods  to  the  right,  making  a  wide 
detour,  and  cominof  out  far  northward  of  the  town. 
Just  as  I  landed  upon  the  pike,  here  running 
parallel  with  the  railroad,  I  again  met  my  recent 
friends,  the  officers.  They  had  passed  right 
through  the  town  without  mishap,  and  had  by  this 
^Miieans  succeeded  in  catching  up  with  me. 

It  was  now  breaking  day,  and  the  rain  increas- 
ing to  a  steady  downpour.  The  "big  six"  filed 
to  the  right,  but  I  went  straight  on,  hoping  sin- 
cerely that  I  might  not  meet  them  again,  lest  they 
should  think  I  was  seeking  their  company.     After 


298  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

going  two  or  three  hundred  yards  farther,  and 
finding  the  woods. too  open,  I  penetrated  the  tim- 
ber for  some  distance  before  I  pitched  my  tent 
(the  blanket  I  carried)  under  a  large  tree,  the 
gnarled  roots  and  overhanging  boughs  of  which 
kept  it  sufficiently  high  from  the  ground  to  afford 
me  some  shelter  from  the  rain. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Lost — Eattng  Raw  Corn — Colored  Friends  Again— Third  Meet- 
ing With  DeWeese  and  Party — Casting  my  Lot  With  theirs. 

Friday,  November  \Zth, — Heard  some  desultory 

shooting  near  by,  a  by  no  means  agreeable  sound 
in  these  open  woods.  By  a  great  effort  I  suc- 
ceeded in  lighting  a  fire  and  roasting  a  couple  of 
sweet  potatoes.  It  has  poured  down  rain  in- 
cessandy  all  day.  I  am  completely  drenched, 
and  suffering  hardships  not  often  encountered; 
hungry  and  wet ;  drowsy  and  much  in  need  of 
sleep,  yet  too  chilly  and  uncomfortable  to  suc- 
cumb to  somnolency.  As  night  approached  the 
rain  increased ;  gloom,  then  utter  darkness  and 
desolation  as  if  in  keeping  with  my  deplorable 
situation,  seemed  to  pervade  my  surroundings. 
No  darker  night  ever  enveloped  man. 

I  moved  off,  groping  my  way  in  search  of  the 
pike  I  had  quitted  at  daybreak,  and  for  an  hour 
or  more  I  was  like  one  playing  at  *'  blindman's 
buff,"  stumbling  and  falling  in  my  efforts  to  find 
the  road.  At  last  I  sat  down,  completely  bewil- 
dered. When  leaving  my  hiding-place  I  had  left 
a  small  fire  there ;  now,  if  I  could  find  it,  I  would 
try  to  study  my  bearings  better.  After  some 
19  (299) 


300  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

more  wanderings,   stumblings,    and   falls,    I    de- 
scried the  flickering  spark  again  : 

That  little  spark,  bright  silent  friend, 
Fresh  courage  to  my  heart  doth  lend ; 
Though  flickering  low,  and  dying  out, 
It  starts  a  hope,  removes  a  doubt. 

From  pensive  study  at  its  blaze, 
A  clearer  dawn  breaks  through  the  maze 
Of  utter  darkness,  woe  and  damp, 
And  once  again  I  start  my  tramp. 

I  was  more  fortunate  this  time  in  getting  on 
the  pike.  I  supposed  it  to  be  the  one  I  was  seek- 
ing, but  after  travellincr  some  time  I  became  dis- 
satisfied  with  the  direction  it  was  taking ;  it  circled 
too  much  to  the  right,  and  could  not  be  the  one 
I  had  diverged  from  in  the  morning.  However,  I 
resolved  to  continue  on  it  until  I  got  better  in- 
formation, or  found  a  highway  leading  more  to 
the  left.  I  had  to  move  slowly,  using  my  cane 
like  a  blind  man.  In  the  inky  darkness. 

About  nine  o'clock  p.  m.  I  saw  a  light  glimmer- 
ing through  the  murky  atmosphere.  When 
nearer  I  found  it  came  from  a  large  farm-house. 
On  the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  to  the  left  of 
this  dwelling,  was  a  barn  of  good  dimensions. 
This  I  entered  and  found  a  large  quantity  of  un- 
husked  corn.  The  corn  w^as  of  the  very  best 
grade.  I  shelled  some  of  it  and  placed  it  in  my 
haversack,  feeling  glad  in  my  deplorable  con- 
dition to  get  even  it.     In  fact,  this  kind  of  food 


A    CHARMING    OUTLOOK.  3OI 

was  the  chief  article  of  diet  that  I  had  durlnof  the 
month  of  my  escape. 

While  standing  in  the  barn  and  looking  across 
to  the  opposite  side,  I  could  see  a  house  present- 
ing all  the  home  comforts  of  farm-life.  It  was 
cheerfully  lighted  up,  with  a  warm  fire  of  logs 
blazing  upon  the  open  hearth,  and  all  the  sur- 
roundings indicated  peace  and  prosperity. 
What  a  contrast  to  my  deplorable  fix,  and  the 
lonely  situation  of  my  young  wife  and  babes  on 
our  little  farm  in  the  wilds  of  West  Virginia ! 

I  dare  not  go  to  this  house,  but  very  naturally 
judged  that  the  owner  must  have  a  large  number 
of  colored  servants  ;  so  I  waited  patiently  until  the 
lights  were  all  out  before  reconnoitring  for  the 
negro  "quarters."  It  seemed  a  long  time  to  wait, 
but  finally  all  was  still  and  I  emerged  from  the 
barn  and  passed  to  the  rear,  over  a  fence  and 
into  a  kitchen  garden,  when  I  saw  at  its  foot  a 
house  of  humble  pretensions,  from  the  small 
window  of  which  a  dim  liorht  was  burnine.  I 
advanced  to  the  door  of  the  cabin  and  rapped. 
It  was  opened  at  once  by  a  robust,  middle-aged 
colored  woman,  who  was  accompanied  to  the 
door  by  another  female  much  younger  than  her- 
self. They  were  both  surprised  and  somewhat 
scared  at  the  appearance  of  their  singular-look- 
ing and  late  visitor.  The  younger  woman  spoke 
first. 

"  Who  are  you,  and  what  do  you  want  ?  *' 


302  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

"  Do  not  be  afraid,"  I  replied,  "  I  am  a  friend." 
I  then  told  her  my  circumstances  ;  that  I  had 
waited  until  the  white  folks  at  the  large  house 
were  all  in  bed ;  that  I  was  hungry,  tired  and  wet, 
as  was  plain  to  be  seen,  and  needed  some  as- 
sistance. The  elder  neeress  was  nervous  and 
fearful,  and  plainly  reluctant  to  give  me  any 
countenance,  but  I  soon  talked  her  into  a  more 
sympathetic  frame  of  mind,  and  she  stirred  up 
the  fire  and  invited  me  to  sit  down  near  it.  I 
did  so  without  further  ceremony,  and  soon  my 
soaked  clothing  was  steaming  and  rapidly  dry- 
inor.  Xhe  two  women  retired  for  a  short  time 
while  my  clothes  were  drying,  and  soon  I  could 
hear  a  partly  suppressed  conversation  in  an  ad- 
joining room. 

After  its  termination  the  pair  returned,  fol- 
lowed by  another  girl  and  two  sturdy  "  bucks." 
The  newcomers  eyed  me  with  undisguised  curi- 
osity, but  appeared  kindly  disposed.  They 
listened  to  what  I  had  to  say  with  attention  and 
evident  interest.  The  negress  who  had  opened 
the  door  in  answer  to  my  knock  appeared  to  be 
the  head  of  the  household,  and  now -gave  orders 
to  the  girls  to  prepare  me  something  to  eat. 
They  went  to  work  at  once  to  do  so,  and  I  could 
see  them  getting  ready  on  a  scale  entirely  un- 
known to  me  for  months.  In  return  for  their 
kindness  I  informed  them  as  best  I  could  of  how 
things  were  going  on  in  the  outside  world;  of 


FAITHFUL   SERVANTS.  303 

the  progress  of  the  war,  of  their  consequent  near 
approach  to  freedom,  etc. 

To  my  surprise  these  faithful  servants  doubted 
my  word.     One  of  the  girls  said: 

"  Missus  tole  me  dat  you  treated  de  cullud 
folks  mitey  bad  in  de  Norf ;  an'  dat  you  couldn't 
whip  de  Souf,  nohow." 

It  was  plain  that  this  slave  loved  her  mistress, 
and  had  an  implicit  faith  in  her  statements.  In 
fact  none  of  this  party  seemed  to  yearn  for  free- 
dom while  enjoying  this  evidently  kind  treatment 
from  their  owner. 

"If  all  slaves,  or  servants,  were  treated  as 
kindly  and  humanely  as  you  evidently  are,"  said  I, 
"  we  should,  possibly,  have  no  war  now.  But 
good  masters  die,  and  then  the  servants  may 
have  bad  times  with  somebody  else." 

"  I  hope  my  missus  won't  die,"  exclaimed  the 
innocent  creature. 

"  I  hope  not,"  was  my  rejoinder,  "  but  we  must 
all  pay  the  debt  of  nature  some  day." 

By  this  time  there  was  placed  before  me  a 
bountiful  meal  consisting  of  bacon,  flour  bread, 
apple-butter,  fresh  milk,  etc.  It  would  surprise  a 
delicate  person  were  he  to  see  how  much  of  this 
substantial  fare  I  disposed  of.  My  friends  then 
filled  my  haversack  w^ith  meat  and  bread,  and 
being  thoroughly  warmed  and  dry,  I  was  in  prime 
inarching  order.  Before  starting,  I  made  some 
necessary  inquiries  of  one  of  the  men  regarding 


304  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIKED    YANK. 

the  roads  along  my  route,  and  carefully  noted  the 
instructions  he  gave  me.  His  knowledge  was 
merely  local,  but  it  was  v-ery  essential  on  account 
of  the  darkness  that  prevailed.  He  said  I  was 
to  leave  the  pike  I  was  then  on  and  take  a  diag- 
onal course  to  the  left.  I  surmised  in  the  early 
part  of  the  night  that  I  was  going  a  little  astray, 
but  the  result  showed  that  in  falling  in  with  these 
darkies  I  had  struck  the  right  place  after  all. 

I  left  these  contented  and  kind-hearted  people 
with  feelings  of  deep  gratitude.  Taken  in  gen- 
eral, I  believe  the  negro  race  to  be  very  sympa- 
thetic and  kind. 

It  was  not  quite  so  dark  now  as  in  the  early 
part  of  the  night,  and  I  soon  succeeded  in  getting 
on  the  road  to  the  left,  of  which  the  darkies  had 
told  me.  Being  satisfied  that  I  was  in  the  proper 
path  I  tramped  along  contentedly,  but  had  not 
gone  far  when  I  saw  a  fire  about  twenty-five  yards 
ahead,  and  probably  six  or  seven  yards  from  the 
road.  My  first  Impression  was  that  it  must  be 
the  fire  of  some  wagon  train  that  had  encamped 
for  the  night,  and  I  took  my  usual  precautions  In 
finding  out,  and  again  made  the  discovery  of  my 
late  lukewarm  acquaintances.  They  were  hud- 
dled around  the  blaze  and  the  steam  from  their 
dripping  garments  was  ascending  In  small  clouds. 
As  they  sat  there  they  presented  a  drowsy  and 
woe-begone  appearance,  and  looked  as  though 
they  had  been  fasting  a  long  time.     I  conceived 


RETURNING    GOOD    FOR    EVIL.  305 


the  idea  of  glvingr  them  a  Httle  scare  before  I 
passed  by;  so,  when  close  up,  I  gave  the  word  to 
"charo-e"  in  a  loud  and  audioritative  tone,  as 
thou^di  addressinor  a  squad  of  men.  The  escap- 
ino-  Yankees  showed  no  "white  feather,"  however, 
but  remained  quiedy  seated  until  I  advanced. 
They  recognized  me  and  inquired  how  I  had 
fared  since  leaving  them,  and  all  appeared  agree- 
ably surprised  at  my  good  luck. 

I  was  not  very  communicative,  however,  and 
was  preparing  to  move  on  when  I  bethought  me 
of  my  full  haversack  and  their  empty  stomachs ; 
and,  although  I  felt  that  they  had  acted  heart- 
lessly towards  me,  I  could  not  bear  to  see  them 
hungry,  so  I  divided  the  contents  of  my  sack 
equally  amongst  them,  and  felt  a  good  deal  better 
for  having  done  so.  I  then  moved  on,  but  the 
entire  party,  without  exception,  united  in  entreat- 
ing m.e  earnesdy  to  remain  with  them.  A  conflict 
ensued  between  wounded  pride  on  the  one  side 
and  extreme  lonesomeness  on  the  other;  but  at 
last  I  submitted  to  their  urging,  and  cast  my  lot 
with  them  for  the  through  trip. 

There  are  many  who,  doubdess,  would  not  have 
done  as  I  did  in  this  instance,  and  I  have  a  proper 
respect  for  that  type  of  manhood,  but,  although 
high-spirited  and  sensidve,  my  anger  is  but  short- 
lived. They  were  very  agreeable  in  their  man- 
ners now,  asking  me  many  questions  in  reladon 
to   my  tramp   and   success    since    parting   from 


306  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

them.  I  was  brief  In  my  replies,  saying  that  I 
had  made  no  great  effort ;  that  it  was  luck ;  that 
I  was  an  odd  number,  etc. 

It  was  still  raining,  dark,  and  growing  colder, 
but  all  were  in  as  good  spirits  as  at  any  time  since 
the  escape. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Continued  Rains — Wading  Streams — A  Beautiful  Slave — Cold 
Weather — DeWeese's  Cane — Swimming  the  Cullaloo — Mork 
Colored  Friends. 

Saturday,  November  igth. — We  resume  our 
march ;  the  weather  simply  wretched.  In  the 
darkness  Captain  Hart  fell  into  a  deep  chasm, 
but  luckily  received  only  slight  injuries.  About 
an  hour  before  day  we  aroused  a  young  darky 
who  got  us  something  to  eat ;  he  also  conducted 
us  to  a  neighboring  hen-roost,  but  we  failed  to 
capture  any  of  the  fowl.  It  has  been  raining  in- 
cessantly and  getting  much  colder;  all  things 
considered,  this  is  the  most  wretched  night  we 
have  yet  experienced. 

After  leaving  the  negro  we  came  to  a  rapid 
stream,  swollen  by  the  late  hard  rains.  We 
climbed  a  bluff  overlooklnor  Its  banks  to  look  for 
a  more  favorable  crossing-place,  but  had  to  re- 
turn to  the  point  from  which  we  first  approached 
It.  All  stripped  but  each  hesitated  to  go  In,  not 
knowing  the  depth.  I  took  the  water  first;  but 
Nelson,  young,  stout  and  brave,  was  In  Imme- 
diately after  and  spurted  ahead.  I  presume  he 
thought  It  scarcely  proper  that   the  only  gray- 

(307) 


308  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

haired  man  In  the  party  should  be  the  first  to  try 
the  depths  of  the  turbulent  stream.  It  took  us 
breast-high  and  tested  our  best  ability  to  keep 
upon  our  feet.  The  water  was  cuttingly  cold 
and  chilled  us  to  the  marrow.  When  on  the 
other  side,  the  getting  into  our  pantaloons  and 
shoes  with  wet  feet  and  sandy  legs  was  a  cold 
and  uncomfortable  operation.  We  proceeded 
until  daylight  without  anything  of  note  trans- 
piring. 

Sunday,  November  20th. — Shortly  after  night- 
fall, and  while  on  the  march,  we  came  in  sight 
of  a  commodious  and  fine-looking  residence.  A 
careful  investioration  shows  that  there  are  no 
white  gentry  about  the  premises.  The  house- 
keeper (or,  more  properly,  the  mistress)  is  a 
quadroon.  She  learned  from  some  of  her  under- 
servants  of  our  presence,  and  sent  word  that 
she  desired  to  see  us.  One  of  these  servants, 
a  pert,  loquacious  girl,  told  us  very  confiden- 
tially, for  such  a  short  acquaintance,  that  "  de 
massa"  liked  the  young  lady  housekeeper  "berry 
much."  Her  master  was  not  married  and  the 
mistress  of  his  household  was  his  slave,  yet  her 
authority  was  supreme  about  the  house. 

The  owner  of  these  people^was  not,  as  good 
fortune  willed  it,  at  home  at  the  time  of  our  visit. 
The  appearance  of  his  mistress,  a  splendid-look- 
ing brunette,  tall  and  shapely,  with  lustrous,  mild, 
black  eyes,  as  beautiful  and  as  graceful  as  the 


COLD,    WET   AND    HUNGRY.  309 

queen  of  a  fairy  extravaganza,  was  a  great  sur- 
prise to  us.  In  her  treatment  of  us  she  proved 
as  good  as  her  looks.  For  our  better  safety, 
we  were  conducted  to  what  is  set  down  in  my 
diary  as  the  "Travellers'  Rest."  We  fared 
sumptuously  here,  getting  chicken,  sweet  pota- 
toes, apples,  etc.,  and  even  tobacco  for  those  who 
wished  to  use  it.  An  occasional  oasis  like  this, 
in  our  wide  and  dismal  desert,  was  a  much- 
needed  stimulation. 

The  night  had  grown  bitter  cold,  with  a 
severe  frost,  when  we  again  started.  Our  pro- 
gress was  very  slow,  soon  being  stopped  by  an- 
other stream  of  no  small  dimensions.  We  did 
not  make  more  than  three  or  four  miles  in  all  the 
night  and  were  staggering  from  loss  of  sleep. 
We  decided  to  camp  near  the  river  front. 

Monday,  November  2\st. — Still  embarrassed 
about  crossing,  the  stream,  though  very  anxious 
to  proceed.  The  weather  has  grown  still  colder 
but  the  day  is  bright ;  we  get  some  beans  and 
corn,  which  we  cook  and  make  a  hearty  meal. 
We  cut  new  hickory  canes  and  throw  our  old 
ones  away.  Whenever  on  our  long  march  we 
met  with  a  fine  hickory  sapling  suitable  for  a 
walking-stick,  we  would  cut  It  down  and  discard 
our  old  ones.  This  was  the  practice  of  all  of  our 
party  except  DeWeese.  He  brought  home  the 
cane  he  first  started  with  from  prison.  He  was 
an  expert  carver  in  wood,  and  an  abstract  history 


3IO  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

of  his  escape  was  cut  in  plain  characters  on  the 
bark  of  his  cane.  While  the  other  officers,  like 
the  writer,  kept  a  book  record  of  the  events  of 
their  flight,  he  carved  his  in  enduring  wood,  to 
remain  for  all  time  a  curiosity  and  heirloom  in 
his  family. 

As  night  approached,  we  became  determined 
to  cross  the  river  at  all  hazards.  At  the  point  of 
our  encampment  it  was  fifty  yards  wide  at  least. 
We  had  no  Idea  of  Its  depth,  but  made  up  our 
minds  to  swim  it  if  needs  be.  DeWeese  called  it 
the  "  Cullaloo."  Stripping  off  and  tying  our  clothes 
high  up  around  our  heads,  we  plunged  In.  It 
was  freezing  and  snowing  now,  and  the  water 
was  bitterly  cold,  but  we  at  last  succeeded  in  cross- 
ing the  "angry  flood"  and  devoutly  hoped  that 
we  should  not  soon  again  be  called  upon  to 
undergo  another  such  test  of  endurance. 

The  ordeals  undergone  for  the  past  two  days 
have  been  a  severe  tax  upon  our  reserve  vitality. 
Half  an  hour  after  our  cold  and  enforced  bath,  we 
came  in  sight  of  a  rapid  stream.  Whether  it  was 
another  river,  or  the  same  one  whose  numerous 
meanderines  we  had  to  cross  several  times  while 
keeping  to  our  northwest  course,  I  could  not  say. 
However  this  may  have  been,  the  hard  and  bitter 
fact  remained  that  we  must  again  face  the  ordeal. 

Once  over,  we  realized  that  we  were  beginning 
the  ascent  of  the  rueeed  mountains  of  the  Blue 
Ridge  in  North  Carolina,  whose  swollen  streams 


"JIM       AND    "BETSY.  3II 

were  too  frequently  impeding  our  progress. 
Travelling  grows  more  difficult,  and  in  addition 
to  other  impediments  the  frost  proves  a  severe 
punishment  to  Lieutenant  Dimick  and  myself,  as 
we  are  nearly  shoeless.  The  hard  rough  road 
and  jagged  stones  feel  like  spikes  to  our  poorly 
protected  soles.  All  are  now  badly  in  need  of 
something  to  eat.  Dimick  and  myself  made 
great  efforts  to  capture  a  stray  sheep  which  we 
discovered  in  an  enclosure  near  our  path ;  but 
we  failed  to  secure  it. 

Later,  I  was  successful  in  finding  a  negro 
"quarters."  I  find  black  Jim,  who  is  suffering 
severely  from  the  toothache  (a  rare  complaint 
among  the  darkies).  Jim  makes  us  acquainted 
with  two  or  three  of  his  friends,  including  a  buxom 
young  girl.  They  appear  to  be  well  taken  care 
of  and  to  have  plenty  to  eat,  and  when  this  is  so, 
they  are  generally  found  to  be  contented  and 
happy.  All  of  them  show  us  as  much  kindness 
as  possible,  but  "Betsy"  is  the  most  assiduous 
and  successful  in  providing  for  our  wants.  Lieu- 
tenant Davis,  in  recognition  of  her  efforts,  and 
as  a  compensation  for  what  she  had  given  us,  made 
her  a  present  of  a  gold  finger-ring.  After  eat- 
ing moderately  we  still  had  a  little  remaining, 
which  we  carefully  packed  aw^ay  in  our  Indispen- 
sable haversacks. 

Tuesday,  November  22d. — We  secured  a  nice 
resting-place.     The  day  is  pleasant  and  agreeable 


312  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

and  we  enjoy  our  repose  to  its  fullest  extent. 
We  also  greased  our  shoes  thoroughly  with  some 
tallow  procured  from  the  negroes  last  night,  the 
first  process  of  the  kind  that  they  have  under- 
gone since  starting  upon  our  journey,  and  one 
which  they  much  needed.  And  then  we  go 
sound  asleep. 

Soon  each  heavy-laden  brow  gently  fell; 
Who  closed  last  his  eyes,  I   cannot  tell; 
And  who  first  did  blink  an  owlish  wink 
At  departing  day,  I  cannot  say; 
I  slept  so  sound,  on  that  damp  ground. 
In  dreams  I'm  off  to  the  field  of  strife, 
Where  drops  so  many  a  precious  life, 
Of  comrades  dear  in  their  country's  cause, 
For  the  flag  and  for  our  countiy's  laws. 

In  that  same  sleep,  I  had  a  dream, 

I  did  not  then  divulge  the  same. 

As  only  lovers  of  fireside  bliss 

Can  rightly  feel  a  dream  like  this. 

I  thought  I  was  back  in  Glade  Run  water. 

With  my  wife,  two  boys  and  little  daughter. 

The  eldest  child  but  six  years  old. 

My  heart  was  home  in  that  loving  fold, 

While  little  arms  with  childish  delight 

Were  clinging  to  papa  so  close  and  tight; 

But  I  woke  to  a  cold  embrace  that  night. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

Lost  Again — Dimick's  Feet  Give  Out — Bidding  him  Good-bye— 
'    His  Unexpected  Reappearance — Challenged — Capturing  Geese. 

As  night  approached,  my  companions  and  my- 
self prepared  to  move.  When  others  rest  from 
the  labors  of  the  day,  and  '*  the  ploughman  home- 
ward plods  his  weary  way,"  we  take  up  a  lonely 
march  to  our  Mecca  of  freedom.  Nothinor  un- 
usual  occurred  during  the  night's  tramp,  except 
the  appearance  of  a  hard  frost,  which  together 
with  the  rough  travelling  and  Interminable  stream- 
crossing  made  our  tramp  one  never  to  be  for- 
gotten. 

Wednesday,  November  23^. — We  made  an 
early  start  and  continued  until  we  came  In  sloht 
of  the  small  village  of  Clayton,  which  we  flanked. 
Our  commissary  stores  are  now  entirely  con- 
sumed, and  all  of  our  party  are  very  hungry. 
DImIck  reconnoitred  a  nelorhborlne  neero 
"quarters"  for  supplies,  but  returned  empty- 
handed.  Lieutenants  Davis  and  DImIck  again 
tried  It  with  no  better  success.  Hope  seemed  to 
centre  on  me,  and  I  do  not  recollect  of  havlnor 
tailed  in  a  single  instance  to  procure  food  of  some 


314  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

kind.     This  time  I  brought  relief  after  a  short 
absence. 

The  night  has  grown  so  dark  that  we  have 
small  hopes  of  making  any  further  headway  while 
this  darkness  lasts.  After  marchinor  and  counter- 
marching  for  a  couple  of  hours  we  become  satis- 
fied that  we  have  lost  our  way,  and  finally  decide 
to  lay  up  for  the  remainder  of  the  night.  It  is 
freezing  hard,  and  yet  we  are  very  thirsty  ;  we 
try  industriously  to  procure  some  water  but  fail. 
It  appears  to  be  either  a  feast  or  a  famine  with  us 
as  regards  water.  In  the  morning  w^e  discovered 
that  within  ten  feet  of  where  we  lay  there  was  an 
abundant  supply  of  the  limpid  food.  As  another 
addition  to  the  night's  unpleasantness,  I  found  my 
trousers  badly  torn,  and  having  no  drawers  or 
lining,  I  find  myself  badly  off  indeed. 

Thuj^sday,  November  2^th. — While  it  was  yet 
day,  a  couple  of  our  party  set  out  in  search  of  the 
road,'  which  we  unfortunately  lost  last  night,  and 
succeeded  in  finding  it.  We  moved  out  early  in 
the  evening  in  the  direction  of  Franklin,  and 
found  the  road  very  rough,  and  marching  on  it 
very  painful.  Not  long  after  starting,  we  sighted 
two  small  wagon-trains  and  successfully  flanked 
them.  L'ater  on  We  passed  three  sportsmen  with 
hounds,  presumably  going  coon-hunting.  'Tis 
fortunate,  we  think,  that  the  game  sought  for  is 
not  biped  "  coon,"  like  ourselves.  In  the  earlier 
days  of  our  flight,  the  fellows  of  these  modern 
Nimrods  paid  us  more  attention  in  this  respect. 


DIMICK    GIVES    IT    UP.  315 

And  now  comes  another  sad  trial.  DImick's 
shoes  are  at  last  completely  worn  out,  and  he  is 
literally  walking  on  his  "  uppers."  It  was  painful 
to  see  him  flinching  and  suffering  as  his  tender 
soles  pressed  the  sharp  rough  ground.  He  is 
the  heaviest  man  in  our  party,  weighing  probably 
one  hundred  and  ninety  pounds.  He  had  no 
blanket,  but  used  instead  a  well-worn  United 
States  overcoat,  minus  the  cape.  We  were  all 
anxious  to  travel  fast,  but  had  to  check  our  speed 
in  order  to  not  hurry  him.  Presendy  we  stop 
and  wait  until  he  cuts  off  a  portion  of  the  skirt  of 
his  coat  to  bind  around  his  sore  feet.  After  an 
hour's  hard  marching  this  temporary  protection 
also  gives  out,  and  we  wait  until  he  has  again 
fixed  up  his  feet.  He  hobbled  along  after  this 
last  make-shift,  suffering  severely  in  his  efforts  to 
keep  up  with  us. 

At  last  he  said  he  could  stand  it  no  loneer  and 
would  have  to  give  up,  or  go  on  more  slowly 
until  he  could  procure  something  to  put  on  his 
feet.  No  wonder  he  had  to  succumb:  the  poor 
fellow's  feet  were  fearfully  cut  and  bruised,  and 
were  bleeding  profusely.  With  genuine  regret 
we  all  shook  hands  with  him  and  bade  him  o^ood- 
bye.  I  was  the  last  to  part  with  him  and  felt 
miserably  sad  on  the  occasion.  All  of  my  com- 
rades, also,  were  very  sorrow  to  have  to  abandon 
him  ;  but  Dimick,  it  will  be  seen,  suffered  more 

from  mental  than  bodily  torture  after  we  had  left 
20 


31 6  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

him  behind.  His  complete  Isolation  and  the  ex- 
treme lonesomeness  of  his  situation  over-balanced 
the  pain  he  endured  from  his  bleeding  feet,  as 
was  shown  by  the  almost  superhuman  efforts  he 
must  have  used  In  running  after  and  overtaking 
us,  which  he  did  In  about  three-quarters  of  an 
hour  after  bidding  us  a  supposed  final  good-bye. 
We  were,  of  course,  agreeably  surprised  to  find 
him  with  us  again,  and  we  thereupon  slackened 
our  pace  to  conform  to  his  necessity;  and  out  of 
humanity  to  our  unfortunate  comrade  we  soon 
lay  up  for  the  remainder  of  the  night. 

Friday,  November  2^th. — On  our  march  to- 
night we  find  the  country  through  which  we  were 
passing  becoming  more  populous ;  and  the  dogs 
begin  to  give  us  considerable  annoyance. 

It  was  some  time  after  midnight,  perhaps  two 
o'clock  A.  M.,  when  we  got  Into  the  village  of 
Franklin.  In  passing  a  few  houses  In  the  sub- 
urbs we  were  not  positive  that  we  were  getting 
into  the  town,  but  as  we  proceeded  we  found  the 
buildings  becoming  more  numerous.  We  then 
concluded  that  we  must  be  in  about  the  centre  of 
the  town,  and  that  It  would  be  about  as  safe  to 
advance  as  to  retreat.  Why  we  had  acted  so 
thoughtlessly  as  to  make  an  attempt  to  pass 
through  such  a  dangerous  place  I  cannot  tell.  I 
had  little  to  say  on  the  subject. 

The  town  was  silent  and  dark,  and  we  glided 
along  In   Indian-file.       The  village   consisted  of 


HALTED    BY    A    SENTRY.  -  3x7 

apparently  one  long  main  street.  When  a  couple 
of  squares  farther  on,  we  could  see  a  faint  light 
glimmering  In  the  distance,  as  if  at  the  head  of 
the  street.  We  still  kept  on  and  the  light  grew 
brighter.  Suddenly  we  were  halted,  the  voice 
sounding  loud  and  clear  on  the  still  air;  but  such 
a  challenore !  Our  well-drilled  officers  are  not 
likely  to  ever  forget  it.  The  words  of  this  picket 
can  hardly  be  written  so  as  to  spin  them  out  as 
they  were  delivered. 

"  H-a-l-t !  w-h-o  c-o-m-e-s  t-h-e-r-e  ?  " 
he  drawled. 

The  answer  from  our  leader  came  w^ith  prompt- 
ness, decision  and  ready  wit. 

"  Will  Willis/' 

"  C-o-m-e  h-e-r-e  t-I-1-1  I  s-e-e  y-o-u,"  w^as  the 
next  demand  of  the  guard. 

*'  Oh,"  replied  DeWeese,  "  If  you  are  so  particu- 
lar, I  don't  want  to  pass,"  at  the  same  time  mak- 
ing a  right-about,  and  from  quick  to  double-quick 
was  the  order  of  our  retreat.  From  the  sleepy, 
half  dead-and-alive  manner  of  our  challenger,  we 
entertained  fair  hopes  of  securing  a  good  start, 
but  thought  It  almost  certain  that  we  should  be 
pursued.  The  reader  is  safe  in  surmising  that  I 
was  not,  by  any  means,  last  In  this  retreat.  I 
vaulted  over  a  fence,  passed  through  a  kitchen 
garden,  without  taking  the  tlmie  or  trouble  to 
scratch  for  possible  potatoes  or  turnips,  and  on  to 
the  rear.     I  found  myself  alone,  but  reasonably 


T,\S  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

satisfied  that  I  had  made  good  my  escape.  I 
continued  in  a  circle  and  came  out  at  the  northern 
end  of  the  town,  and  there  luckily  rejoined  my 
comrades.  Doubtless  that  old  "  home-ofuardsman  " 
reflected  deeply  on  what  a  wayward,  naughty  boy 
that  "  Will  Willis  "  was  to  have  been  out  of  bed  at 
such  an  unchristianlike  hour.  We  did  not  slacken 
our  speed  much  until  we  felt  that  we  were  at  a 
safe  distan-ce  from  the  town,  and  then  daylight 
sent  us  to  cover. 

Saturday,  Novembei'-  26th. — Our  slumbers  are 
very  much  disturbed  and  our  spirits  greatly  de- 
pressed by  the  frequent  firing  of  small-arms  and 
the  ominous  cry  of  hounds.  We  are  all  in  a  de- 
plorable condition  for  the  want  of  a  change  of 
clothing,  especially  of  inner  garments. 

Nieht,  and  our  time  for  marchino-.  We  feel 
mystified  as  to  where  we  are  going,  and  after 
"travelling  about  five  miles  in  a  hap-hazard  direc- 
tion we  met  a  citizen.  He  informed  us  that  we 
were  but  four  miles  from  Franklin.  Then  he 
directed  us  to  the  right  road,  and,  unobtrusive 
gentleman  that  he  was,  asked  us  no  questions. 
It  was  rainino-  a  little  at  the  time  of  our  meetinor 
and  quite  dark,  and  he  did  not  seem  to  notice 
anything  unusual  or  suspicious  about  us.  This 
darkness,  and  consequent  absence  of  the  stars, 
was  the  cause  of  our  going  astray.  We  are  again 
feeling  the  pmching  pangs  of  hunger,  and  think 
ourselves  fortunate  in  the  possession  of  a  few  ears 
of  raw  corn. 


TWO    GEESE    CAPTURED.  319 

Away  after  midnight,  when  passing  a  farm 
re'sldence,  we  noticed  a  good-sized  pool  of  water. 
This  pond  In  itself  was  not  particularly  attractive, 
but  on  Its  placid  bosom  there  floated  objects  of 
absorbine  Interest  and  attractiveness  to  me.  The 
moving  forms  were  those  of  geese,  and  my  late 
acquaintance  with  that  species  of  fowl  was  highly 
conducive  to  a  desire,  on  my  part,  for  a  renewal 
of  our  intimacy.  The  boys  passed  on,  unmindful, 
but  Dimick  and  the  writer  tarried.  The  geese, 
however,  kept  in  the  middle  of  the  pond  with  ill- 
mannered  pertinacity.  If  we  are  to  succeed  in 
capturing  any  we  must  not  be  afraid  to  wet  our 
feet.  I  took  deliberate  aim,  fired  my  stick  and 
then  took  to  the  water  instanter,  Dimick  closely 
following. 

• 

And  of  that  pretty  flock  of  geese, 
God  forgive  us,  we  took  one  apiece; 
And  putting  them  gently  under  an  arm, 
We  squeezed  their  necks  to  prevent  alarm. 

We  soon  caught  up  with  our  companions,  who 
were,  as  may  be  imagined,  well  pleased  with  our 
success. 

The  night  Is  now  far  advanced  and  growing 
darker.     We  have  not  yet  found  the  right  road. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

The  "  Stair  Falls  " — Living  "  High  " — Dimick's  Funny-Looking 
Coat — "  Skirmishing" — A  Friend  Indeed. 

Sunday,  November  2yth. — At  daylight  we 
traversed  the  woods  round  about  for  some  dis- 
tance, looking  for  the  road.  At  last  becoming 
assured  of  our  bearings,  we  went  into  camp.  The 
sun  was  then  cominor  out  brio^ht  and  stronor  and 
the  day  promised  to  be  one  of  the  finest  we  had 
enjoyed  for  some  time. 

We  are  up  in  the  mountains  now  ;  the  country 
is  rough  and  thickly  timbered,  chiefly  with  chest- 
nut. In  our  hiding-place  we  feel  quite  safe  from 
intrusion  and  can  look  upon  and  enjoy  some 
wild  .and  romantic  scenery.  From  where  we 
build  our  fire  we  can  see  and  hear  a  cascade  of 
the  prettiest  outline.  The  volume  of  water  is  not 
large,  but  is  clear  as  crystal,  with  the  spray  spark- 
ling like  many-hued  gems,  as  it  falls,  in  the 
morning  sunlight.  The  water  tumbles  over  three 
different  natural  projections,  like  steps,  of  a  uni- 
form distance  from  one  another,  and  of  the  same 
inclination  and  degree  of  uprightness.  The  whole 
might  properly  be  called  the  "  Stair  Falls." 

As  raw  corn  has  been  our  chief  subsistence 
(320) 


COOKING    AND    MENDING.  321 

lately,  the  mess  we  are  now  preparing  Is  quite  a 
luxury.  One  member  of  the  party  has  a  little  tin 
bucket  and  in  it  is  boilinor  corn  on  a  comfortable 
fire.  The  rest  of  us  are  makinor  aoose  feathers 
fly,  and  as  many  hands  make  light  work,  It  does 
not  take  us  long  to  pluck,  singe,  disembowel  and 
wasli  the  geese.  Each  man  then  helps  himself  to 
a  liberal  slice  and  proceeds  to  broil  it  over  our 
camp-fire.  We  wash  down  this  healthful  and 
appetizing  meal  with  copious  draughts  from  one 
of  the  mountain  springs,  and  the  sum  of  our 
earthly  happiness  is  complete. 

My  increasing  nakedness  now  demands  some 
attention,  as  a  little  longer  extension  of  this  kind 
of  life  win  compel  me  to  return  to  the  primitive 
costume  of  Father  Adam,  unless  some  measures 
can  be  taken  to  arrest  the  rapid  destruction  of 
my  garments  by  the  brush  and  the  briars.  To 
check  the**  o-rowlnof  evil  I  borrow  a  needle  and 
thread  from  one  of  our  men,  and  soon  a  visible 
iinprovement  w^as  made  in  the  continuity  of  my 
"  make-up." 

Dimick  also  has  been  quite  busy.  His  feet 
are  the  greatest  source  of  trouble  to  him,  and  the 
application  of  goose  grease  Is  very  soothing  to 
his  poor  soles.  Since  his  shoes  gave  out  he  has 
used  a  great  quantity  of  rags  In  tying  up  his  feet. 
His  overcoat,  which  originally  was  very  long,  Its 
skirts  extending  below  his  knees,  has  been  under- 
going during  the  past  few  days  a  startling  and 


32  2     •      THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

ludicrous  metamorphosis.  Two  days  ago  the  left 
skirt  commenced  to  shrink  visibly,  giving  Dimick 
the  appearance  of  careening  heavily  to  the  star- 
board, but  yesterday  the  right  side  entirely  disap- 
peared, only  a  few  shreds  remaining  close  up  to 
the  arm-pits ;  and  to-day — must  I  record  it — the 
remaining  portion  of  the  opposite  tail  has  followed 
its  fellow,  and  now  the  heavy  and  cumbersome 
army  greatcoat  of  a  few  days  ago  has  become  a 
trim  and  natty  pea-jacket,  giving  to  the  fat  and 
good-natured  lieutenant  the  appearance  of  an 
overgrown  schoolboy. 

To-day  is  one  of  our  *' skirmishing"  days.  The 
warm  sun,  the  safe  retreat,  and  above  all  the 
pinching  necessity  of  the  disagreeable  occasion, 
gave  us  busy  employment  for  some  time.  The 
above  is  hint  enough  on  the  delicate  subject  of 
"  skirmishing "  to  any  of  my  readers  who  have 
languished  in  the  South  as  prisoners  of  war. 

Lieutenant  Davis  reports  having  seen  an  old 
citizen  in  the  woods  to-day. 

Night. — We  descend  this  chestnut  range  of 
mountains,  and  at  the  base  we  strike  a  narrow 
road  and  follow  it,  but  finding  it  to  lead  toward 
the  southwest  we  go  slowly  and  cautiously.  We 
meet  a  gentleman  and  three  ladies  on  the  road, 
but  let  them  pass  without  their  seeing  us. 

Here  Dimick  makes  the  discouraging  discovery 
that  he  has  forgotten  his  haversack,  which  con- 
tained  the  entire  supplies  of  our  party. 


ACCUMULATED    MISFORTUNES.  323 

We  now  come  to  what  we  suppose  to  be  the 
Little  Tennessee  river,  and  turn  with  the  stream 
towards  its  northwest  source.  The  weather  has 
again  turned  cold  and  the  night  dreary.  We 
have  no  fire,  are  very  hungry,  but  have  nothing 
to  eat. 

Monday,  November  2^th. — We  are  in  a  thickly 
populated  district,  and  are  very  uneasy,  for  which 
reason  we  lay  up  all  day  without  fire,  cold  and 
hungry.  The  latter  is  becoming  a  chronic  com- 
plaint in  our  little  band.  This  constant^ exposure 
in  such  weather  as  we  have  had  is  trying  even  to 
an  iron  constitution.     May  God  sustain  us ! 

Friendly  night  again,  and  we  are  once  more  on 
the  tramp.  But  ill-luck  seems  determined  to  stick 
to  us,  as  we  lose  our  way  again,  returning  after  a 
half  hour's  march  to  where  we  had  encamped. 
We  start  again,  and  clamber  up  and  slide  down 
an  exceedingly  steep  mountain  shortly  after  mak- 
ing our  second  attempt,  suffering  many  cuts  and 
bruises  in  so  doing.  On  account  of  the  pitchy 
darkness  we  make  but  little  or  no  headway,  and 
all  are  feeling  much  discouraged  in  consequence. 
I  now  proposed  that  we  detail  one  of  our  number 
to  seek  information  as  to  our  route  from  the  in- 
mates of  the  first  isolated  farm-house  we  should 
meet,  but  I  was  overruled.  We  lay  up  in  a  deep 
canyon,  thoroughly  disheartened. 

Tuesday,  November  29M. — Our  party  cannot 
agree  upon  any  given  course  to  follow.     Being  in 


324  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

a  thickly  wooded  and  rough  country  bordering  on 
East  Tennessee,  we  might  now  travel  in  daytime 
without  much  fear  of  arrest,  but  we  have  been 
wanderinor  up  and  down  all  the  mornincr  lookinof 
for  some  sort  of  a  road,  and  not  finding  an)'  we 
sit  down  discouraored  under  a  laro-e  tree.     The 

o  o 

day  is  nice  and  warm,  and  we  take  a  good  wash 
in  a  pool  of  clear  water.  We  have  no  bread  or 
meat,  or  anything  but  a  little  raw  corn  to  eat.  In 
a  gloomy  mood  we  hold  a  council,  and  I  renewed 
my  proposition  of  yesterday,  saying  I  thought  it 
imperative  that  we  should  secure  some  informxa- 
tion  at  once,  and  did  not  think  there  was  much 
risk  in  the  part  of  the  country  we  were  then  in, 
believing  there  was  a  goodly  sprinkling  of  loyal 
citizens  there. 

Dimick  was  the  only  one  who  favored  my  views, 
and,  although  in  the  minority,  we  became  resolved 
to  carry  them  into  effect.  Lieutenant  Dimick, 
cool,  brave,  and  unpretentious,  now  started  to  go 
to  a  house  that  could  be  seen  at  some  distance, 
and  with  no  other  habitation  within  three-quarters 
of  ^  mile  of  it.  I  advanced  near  enough  to  watch 
his  movements.  I  saw  him  approach  the  house 
and  speak  to  a  small  boy  outside,  after  w'hich  he 
entered  an  outhouse,  or  barn,  near  by.  He  re- 
mained inside  for  some  time,  and  when  he 
emerged  from  the  building  he  w^as  accompanied 
by  a  man.  Dimick  performed  his  duty  well,  and 
our  plan  proved  a  complete  success. 


A    FRIEND    IN    NEED.  325 

The  stranger  approaching  us  Is  a  stout,  well- 
built  man,  about  thirty-five  years  of  age,  and 
dressed  in  a  suit  of  good  homespun  cloth.  His 
name  we  learn  is  Henry  P.  Grant,  and  his  home 
Brown's  Creek,  Macon  county.  North  Carolina. 
He  is  a  fire-tried  Unionist,  brave,  prudent,  deter- 
mined, and  Inflexible.  All  the  ingenuity  of  the 
rebel  authorities  failed  to  make  him  fio:ht  ao^ainst 
his  country  and  flag. 

By  reason  of  his  well-known  principles,  he  was 
under  the  necessity  of  watching  and  hiding  night 
and  day,  in  season  and  out  of  season,  in  order  to 
keep  out  of  their  clutches.  To-day  he  thought  he 
was  captured  at  last  when  Dimick  darkened  the 
door  of  the  barn  where  he  was  huskine  corn. 
His  little  son  was  posted  on  the  lookout  while 
his  father  w^orked,  but  Dimick  appeared  before 
him  so  suddenlv  the  little  fellow  did  not  have 
time  to  give  the  alarm.  Grant  and  Dimick  tell 
us  that  they  each  eyed  the  other  suspiciously, 
thinking  that  each  confronted  an  enemy,  and 
both  prepared  to  fight  before  surrendering;  but 
when,  instead  of  enemies,  they  discovered  they 
were  friends,  their  friendship  was  warm  indeed. 

All  of  our  party  are  now  made  acquainted  with 
Mr.  Grant,  who  Is  In  entire  sympathy  with  us. 
From  where  we  stand  we  are  In  sight  of  his  house, 
but  safe  from  observation.  It  Is  only  three  o'clock 
p.  M.,  and  Grant  Is  anxious  to  relieve  our  distress 
and  give  us  tha  shelter  of  his  hospitable  roof  at 


326  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

once,  but  there  Is  a  slight  obstacle  In  the  way — 
there  Is  an  armed  rebel  soldier  In  the  house. 

The  question  of  a  method  for  surmounting  the 
difficulty  at  once  becomes  the  subject  of  a  council, 
in  the  deliberation  of  which  our  friend  Grant  took 
the  leading  and  chief  part.  The  first  decision,  and 
a  most  natural  one  the  reader  will  agree,  that  we 
arrived  at  was  that  Mr,  Grant  should  at  once 
return  to  his  home  and  procure  something  where- 
with to  appease  the  cravings  of  our  consuming 
hunorer. . 

On  making  known  the  circumstances  to  his 
wife  that  estimable  lady,  the  faithful  and  worthy 
companion  of  a  good  man,  entered  at  once  Into 
sympathetic  unison,  acting  and  planning  with  her 
husband  for  our  aid  and  comfort.  The  first  result 
of  his  interview  with  his  wife  was  his  quick  return 
to  us  with  a  bountiful  supply  of  wholesome  and 
substantial  food.  We  ate  somewhat  sparingly, 
thinking  it  not  prudent  to  eat  much  at  a  time 
after  our  Ion  or  fast. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Among  Kind  Friends — A  Rebel  Soldier  in  a  Queer  Role — Neai* 

ING  the  End. 

Our  host  now  tells  us  about  this  rebel  soldier 
who  is  quartered  in  his  house.  His  name  is 
Burton  McQueen.  He  is  a  good-looking,  stout 
young  fellow,  of  about  eighteen  or  twenty  years 
of  age,  and  belongs  to  the  "Thomas  Legion,'* 
which  is  doing  post  duty  fifteen  miles  from  where 
we  are.  The  boy  is  home  for  a  few  days  on  a 
furlough  to  see  his  widowed  mother,  made  so  by 
the  death  of  her  husband,  who  was  impressed  into 
the  rebel  service,  and  who  was  killed  in  action. 
Her  boy  is  the  widow's  only  natural  support  re- 
maining, but  he  cannot  support  her  now.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Grant  appear  to  be  her  main  stay  at  present. 
She  occupies  a  house  adjoining  that  of  the  kind 
and  hospitable  Grants,  who  are  assiduous  in  their 
attentions  to  the  lonely  widow.  So  it  is  no 
wonder  that  the  poor  woman  is  greatly  attached 
to  this  worthy  couple. 

Young  McQueen  returns  to  his  command  to- 
morrow morning.  The  Grants  are  anxious  to 
give  us  a  cordial  reception  in  their  own  house  to- 
night, but  this  cannot  be  done  without  the  knowl- 

(327) 


328  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

edge  of  the  McQueens.  We  therefore  conclude 
to  confide  our  situation  to  the  widow,  and  dele- 
gate Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grant  to  perform  the  delicate 
duty. 

The  result  of  their  mission  to  Mrs.  McQueen 
exceeds  our  most  sanguine  expectations.  They 
found  upon  broaching  the  subject  cautiously  that 
the  widow  was  in  hearty  accord  with  them  in  their 
desire  to  assist  us.  She  had,  it  seemed,  no  real 
sympathy  with  the  Southern  cause;  or  If  she  once 
had,  the  loss  of  her  husband  and  the  constant 
dangers  of  her  son  had  turned  that  feeling  to  a 
far  different  one. 

The  boy,  In  her  hands,  was  as  clay,  and  soon 
all  is  well,  and  when  night  came  we  were  con- 
ducted to  the  house,  a  very  comfortable  one  not- 
withstanding the  numerous  raids  of  the  hungry 
enemy,  where  w^e  were  introduced  to  Mrs.  Grant, 
with  whom  we  all  cordially  shook  hands.  Seated 
around  a  •spacious  and  well-swept  hearth,  with 
old-fashioned  andirons  supporting  logs  of  hickory, 
ash  and  beech  which  composed  the  Incomparable 
fire,  a  new  life  seemed  to  be  Infused  Into  the 
members  of  our  party,  as  was  not  strange  under 
such  cheering  and  home-like  Influences. 

Mrs.  Grant  was  bustlinor  about  like  a  true 
housewife.  Intent  upon  preparing  us  a  nice  meal. 
In  a  short  time  the  table  was  spread  with  a  snowy 
white  cloth,  the  viands  piping  hot  were  placed 
thereon,  and  all  were   invited  to  draw  up  their 


A    MERRY    FEAST.  329 

chairs  and  set-to.  Our  worthy  host,  who  had  re- 
tired a  few  minutes  previously,  now  returned, 
bearing  a  good-sized  flask  in  one  hand  and  a 
drinking-glass  in  the  other.  Standing  before  us, 
he  said: 

"Gentlemen:  Before  you  begin  your  meal  I 
wish  you  to  honor  me  by  partaking  of  some- 
thing of  my  own  manufacture,  which  I  have  here. 
In  your  present  condition,  a  little  tonic,  it  seems 
to  me,  would  not  hurt  you  ;  it  is  pure  apple- 
brandy." 

He  then  approached  the  writer,  and  in  handing 
him  the  beverage  hoped  that  his  venerable  friend 
would  set  the  example.  How  many  of  my  read- 
ers under  such  circumstances  might  have  refused 
the  kindly  offer  of  our  host,  I  am  not  prepared  to 
say.  If  any,  they  possess,  in  a  marked  degree, 
an  abstemious  virtue  that  I  can  lay  no  claim  to, 
although  I  have  never  indulged  to  excess. 

It  was  suggested  that  a  toast  was  now  in  order, 
so  I  poured  out  a  moderate  portion  of  the  spark- 
ling fluid,  and  holding  it  aloft,  said: 

"  God  bless  our  country  and  perpetuate  its 
union !  God  bless  our  good  President  Lincoln, 
and  give  him  wisdom  and  years  to  finish  the 
grand  work  he  has  begun ;  and  may  we  all,  and 
especially  our  worthy  friends  here  in  North  Caro- 
lina, live  to  see  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  our  many 
sacrifices  and  our  devotion  to  the  cause  of  freedom 
and  liberty.  A  long  time  between  drinks ;  God 
bless  us  all." 


330  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

Supper  over,  and  all  being  In  the  best  of 
humor,  it  was  suggested  that  it  would  be  only 
proper  and  courteous  for  some  of  our  number  to 
call  upon  Mrs.  McQueen.  Lieutenant  DeWeese 
and  Captain  Hart  were  chosen  to  perform  the 
duty,  and  were  introduced  by  Mrs.  Grant  to  a 
comely  and  pensive  matron  of  about  fifty-five 
years  of  age.  The  general  subject  of  our  con- 
versation was  the  war,  and  its  widespread 
scourges,  which  phase  of  the  subject  we  dwelt 
upon  at  considerable  length.  We  received,  be- 
fore we  left,  many  assurances  of  friendship  from 
the  widow. 

What  a  happy  change  In  the  situation  of  our 
little  party!  A  few  hours  ago  we  were  lost  in  the 
mountains,  our  spirits  well-nigh  broken,  and 
we  staring  gaunt  hunger  In  the  face.  Now,  sur- 
rounded by  kind  friends,  our  wants  attended  to, 
and  our  hearts  beating  joyfully  with  the  thought 
that  we  shall  not  again  suffer  the  privations 
and  heartaches  that  we  have  daily  and  hourly 
undergone  since  the  first  day  of  our  long  and 
hazardous  flight.  We  realize,  now,  that  we  are 
fast  nearing  the  end  of  our  journey. 

It  has  been  decided  that  we  shall  start  in  the 
morning  in  company  with  young  McQueen,  who 
is  returning  to  his  command,  and  who  has  vol- 
unteered to  act  as  guide  through  the  woods  and 
mountains.  After  spending  the  happiest  evening 
of  many  months,  we  retired  to  sleep  and  dream, 


A   CHEERFUL   MARCH.  33 1 

under  the  protection  of  a  roof,  the  first  covering 
of  the  kind  for,  lo,  these  many  days. 

So  passed  the  auspicious  twenty-ninth  of 
•November,  1864. 

Wednesday,  November  30///. — Bright  and  early, 
kind  Mrs.  Grant  prepared  us  a  dainty  and  sub- 
stantial breakfast.  After  we  had  taken  a  re- 
freshing ablution,  our  host  made  his  appearance 
with  the  susplclous-lookino:  botde  of  last  evenlno- 
and.  If  I  am  not  mistaken,  all  the  boys  took  the 
"  oath  "  again.  After  breakfast  we  took  leave  of 
Mrs.  Grant  and  the  widow  McQueen,  and  turned 
our  backs  on  the  fair  haven  of  Brow^n's  Creek. 

Upon  leaving  all  of  us  were  provided  with  a 
full  day's  rations  In  our  haversacks,  and  Mr. 
Grant  accompanied  us  for  about  two  miles  to 
where  he  had  another  farm.  The  house  thereon 
was  unoccupied,  and  was  used  in  winter  to  store 
apples  and  other  farm  products.  When  there, 
he  gave  us  all  the  apples  we  could  carry,  and 
bad^  us  good-bye. 

We  have  never  seen  or  heard  from  him  since  ; 
at  least  I  have  not. 

We  were  all  now  in  prime  marchlne  order, 
and  started  out  briskly  and  with  lieht  hearts.  In- 
eluding  our  friend  DImick,  whose  soles  had  at  last 
been  covered  by  the  kindly  thoughtfulness  of  Mr. 
Grant.  We  had  a  jolly  time  on  the  march,  crack- 
ing jokes  and  -singing  snatches  of  our  camp  songs, 

and  even  taking  turns  carrying  the  musket  of  our 
21 


332  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

rebel  guide.  His  was  a  strange  case,  present- 
ing as  it  did  the  startling  anomaly  of  a  man, 
sworn  and  armed  to  shoot  Yankees,  acting  as 
their  friend  and  guide.  It  is  questionable  if  any- 
thinor  similar  to  it  occurred  duringr  the  war.  He 
conducted  us  in  safety  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles 
on  our  journey  in  the  broad  open  light  of  day, 
and  to  within  fifty  yards  of  the  outposts  of  his 
command,  which  place  we  reached  shortly  after 
dusk,  and  so  close  were  we  that  could  hear  the 
soldiers  enjoying  themselves  with  music  and 
dancing.  Our  guide's  reason  for  bringing  us  so 
close  to  the  rebel  camp  was  because  our  only  feasi- 
ble route  lay  in  this  direction.  I  do  not  know  how 
my  comrades  felt,  but  I  recollect  distinctly  to  have 
been  considerably  perturbed  when  I  discovered 
our  near  proximity  to  the  enemy.  The  man 
could  have  easily  given  us  up,  and  by  so  doing 
be  assured  of  favorable  mention,  and  probable 
promotion,  for  his  zeal  ;  but  he  proved  true  to  his 
mother  and  faithful  to  his  promise.  • 

Burton  McQueen's  case  may  be  a  subject  for 
debate  and  wide  divergence  of  opinion.  Many 
will  claim,  no  doubt,  that  he  did  right,  and  that 
his  action  was  commendable ;  while  others,  with 
fully  as  strong  argument,  will  prove  that  his  action 
w^as  traitorous  and  In  direct  violation  of  his  oath 
of  allegiance.  In  justice  to  the  young  man  it  is 
but  fair  to  state,  however,  that  he  w^as  not  in  the 
Confederate  service  from  choice.     He  was  im- 


A   FRIENDLY   ENEMY.  333 

pressed  Into  their  ranks,  as  was  also  his  father. 
The  matter,  therefore,  narrows  down  to  the  ques- 
tion whether  compulsory  obligations  should  or 
should  not  be  binding-.  At  all  events  our  Con- 
federate guide  not  only  piloted  us  safely  the 
distance  before  named,  but  in  leaving  us  gave 
important  directions  as  to  where  we  should  cross 
the  next  river;  also  where  we  were  to  find  a 
loyal  family  named  Welsh,  who  would  assist  us. 

After  a  kindly  parting  with  our  friend  in  gray 
we  started  on  double-quick  time,  and  did  not 
slacken  our  speed  until  we  had  covered  a  good  five 
miles.  Although  not  a  word  was  spoken  on  the 
subject,  our  minds  were  alike  filled  with  one  idea. 
Would  our  guide  betray  us  at  the  eleventh  hour? 
This  thought  urged  us  forward,  and  not  until  the 
river  lay  between  us  and  the  camp  of  the  enemy 
did  we  feel  safe  and  were  we  heartily  disposed  to 
do  the  young  fellow  justice.  Such,  however,  must 
always  be  the  fate  of  one  who,  like  him,  violates 
a  solemn  obligation. 

As  indicated  by  our  late  guide  we  shordy 
came  to  the  point  of  the  river  where  we  were  to 
cross.  It  was  at  or  near  the  confluence  of  the 
I  Tuckaseeand  Tennessee  rivers,  and  was  fully  one 
hundred  yards  wide,  makino-  the  crossine  a  fear- 
ful  undertaking.  Had  we  not  been  so  well  used 
to  this  business  we  micrht  have  hesitated  to  enter 
such  a  broad  and  rapid  current ;  but  stripping  to 
the  buft^  we  waded  into  the  rushing  stream.     The 


334  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED   YANK. 

water  was  Intensely  cold  and  very  deep  at  points, 
but  we  made  the  passage  safely,  with  our  gar- 
ments badly  soaked. 

Although  not  aware  of  it  at  the  time,  we  had, 
happily,  crossed  our  last  great  barrier.  We 
wrung  the  water  out  of  our  clothes,  put  them  on, 
and  started  briskly  to  restore  the  circulation  in 
our  benumbed  frames. 

A  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  river  we  entered 
the  house  of  Mr.  A.  B.  Welsh.  We  had  been  led 
to  believe  that  this  gentleman  was  a  friend, 
but  we  found  him  quite  cool  and  somewhat 
suspicious  at  first.  In  those  trying  times  the 
loyal  frontiersmen  were  required  to  be  as  inno- 
cent as  doves  and  as  wise  as  serpents  to  steer 
their  course  safely.  The  family  were  surprised 
when  we  told  them  that  we  had  swum  the  river, 
and  after  learning  who  we  were,  and  how  we  had 
suffered,  their  hearts  warmed  towards  us.  Mr. 
Welsh  for  a  time  kept  up  a  semblance  of  South- 
ern sympathy;  but  his  better  half  was  stoutly 
Union  in  her  sentiments. 

About  this  time  I  found  I  had  sustained  quite  a 
loss  ;  my  trusty  butcher-knife  was  gone.  Before 
removine  my  clothes  at  the  river  I  had  unbuckled 
my  belt  containing  the  knife,  laid  it  down  on 
the  bank,  and  forgot  it  afterwards.  I  was  deter- 
minded  to  return  and  recross  the  stream  to  secure 
it,  but  Mr.  Welsh  promised  to  send  his  son,  a 
young  man,  for  it  early  the  following  morning. 


KINDLY    LOQUACITY.  335 

The  young  fellow  went,  but  failed  to  find  the 
treasure,  and  it  was  then  too  late  for  me  to  go 
back.  I  felt  the  loss  keenly  because  of  its  as- 
sociations and  the  protection  it  had  afforded  me, 
but  it  transpired,  happily,  that  I  did  not  need  it 
much  afterwards,  as  we  were  getting  into  a 
friendly  section. 

Our  day's  march  from  Grant's  to  Welsh's  was 
about  twenty-two  miles,  and  we  fully  appreciated 
the  hospitalities  of  this  happy  home,  where 
warmth,  cheerfulness  and  kindness  reigned,  and 
every  moment's  interchange  of  views  and  feelings 
produced  a  warmer  current  of  reciprocal  friend- 
ship. Our  treatment  so  much  resembled  that 
which  we  had  received  at  Grant's,  that  to  enume- 
rate their  many  kindnesses  would  be  merely  a 
repetition  of  what  I  have  already  said.  The  same 
cleanliness  existed  and  the  same  expedition  was 
used.  The  only  marked  difference  was  in  the 
conversational  powers  of  the  respective  house- 
wives. Mrs.  Grant  was  quiet  and  of  a  rather 
retiring  disposition,  while  Mrs.  Welsh  kept  up  a 
running  stream  of  small  talk  while  preparing  our 
supper.  Having  a  loving  and  interesting  family 
herself,  she  was  curious  to  know  how  we  were 
situated. 

*'Are  you  married  ?  "  she  asks  one. 

*'  No,  ma'am." 

**  Is  your  mother  living  ?  " 

"  Yes,  ma'am.'*  ...  .^..    . 


336  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

"  May  God  hear  and  pity  the  cries  of  the 
mothers  of  this  country!  "  she  piously  ejaculated. 

She  had  a  question  and  a  pious  and  appro- 
priate ejaculation  for  each. 

My  comrades  were  all  young  men,  and  I  be- 
lieve unmarried.  I  was  then  about  forty  years  of 
age,  and  In  answer  to  her  question  said  I  was 
married  and  the  father  of  three  children,  aged 
respectively  two,  four  and  six,  and  my  wife  but 
twenty- two  years  old.  Surprise,  sympathy  and 
censure  were  then  equally  blended  In  her  manner 
and  remarks,  but  sympathy  ultimately  predomi- 

» 

nated. 

When  supper,  a  most  Inviting  one,  was  ready, 
the  sprightly  little  lady  whispered  mysteriously 
to  her  good  man,  and  he  retired  and  directly  re- 
turned with  a  decanter  contalnlnof  some  first-rate 
apple-jack  of  his  own  make.  Like  our  friend 
of  last  evening,  giving  the  preference  to  age,  he 
first  passed  the  bottle  to  me.  After  our  meal,  to 
which  we  did  full  justice,  we  learned  from  the 
family  that  they  were  subject  to  frequent  nocturnal 
visits  from  their  rebel  neighbors,  who  suspected 
them  of  sympathy  for  the  Union,  and  of  harbor- 
ing Yankee  refugees. 

It  was  thought  advisable  under  these  circum- 
stances that  we  should  sleep  out  In  the  brush 
rather  than  In  the  house.  When  we  made  a 
move,  however,  Mrs.  Welsh  spoke  a  few  words 
to  her  husband,  who  then  came  to   me  ^nd  re- 


UNWAVERING    HOSPITALITY  337 

quested  that  I  should  remain  In  the  house,  as  she 
had  a  good  bed  for  me.  I  thanked  her,  saying- 
that  I  was  a  stranger  to  such  luxuries,  and  de- 
clined the  offer,  giving  as  a  reason  that  I  thought 
it  safer  to  be  with  my  comrades. 

I  shall  never  forget  with  what  kindness  she 
persisted  upon  my  remaining,  urging  that  the 
night  was  cold  ;  that  I  needed  rest,  and  that  she 
thought  the  change  would  do  me  good.  I  then 
was  forced  to  tell  her  plainly  my  real  reason  for 
refusing.  I  could  not  go  into  her  clean  bed,  for, 
breathe  it  softly,  I  was  lousy,  as  indeed  was  every 
man  who  was  confined  in  rebel  prison  pens. 
Strange  to  say  this  disgusting  announcement  did 
not  cool  her  charity,  or  cause  her  to  cease  her 
kind  importunities.  At  last  I  submitted  reluc- 
tantly, after  devising  a  plan  to  prevent  the  infec- 
tion of  the  bed  by  the  disgusting  vermin.  I 
divested  myself  completely  of  all  my  "  duds,  " 
and  tying  them  up  in  my  blanket  made  a  bundle 
which  I  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  uncarpeted 
pine  floor,  and  then  crept  into  bed  in  the  pre- 
sumable fashion  of  Father  Adam  before  the  era 
of  fiof-leaf  niorht-shirts. 

I  was  soon  asleep  and  enjoyed  a  most  refresh- 
ing slumber  until  morning.  We  all  ate  a  hearty 
breakfast,  which  was  made  doubly  pleasing  by 
the  untlrinor  efforts  of  our  kind  friends  to  make 
us  comfortable.  Mr.  Welsh  and  his  son  Q-ot  their 
rifles  and  hunting-traps  and   proposed  to  escor/ 


338  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HATRED    YANK. 

US  up  the  mountains.  When  starting,  all  of  us  re^ 
ceived  a  liberal  day's  rations,  as  on  the  day  before. 
Father  and  son  each  had  among  his  supplies  a 
canteen  slung  over  the  shoulder  ;  one  contained 
Sorghum  molasses,  and  the  contents  of  the  other 
was  at  the  start  but  a  surmise.  Througrh  the 
kindly  guidance  and  protection  of  the  Welshes 
we  escaped  two  parties  of  armed  rebels. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Arrival  at  Cage    Cove,    Tennessee — Tuckaleechie    Cove — Al- 
most There. 

Thursday,  Decembe^^  \st. — After  taking  leave 
of  Mrs.  Welsh  with  feelings  of  genuine  regret,  we 
started  briskly,  leaving  the  valley  of  the  Little 
Tennessee  and  striking  out  boldly  for  the  Great 
Smoky,  one  of  the  highest  mountain  ranges  in 
North  America,  guided  by  Welsh  and  his  son. 
In  our  ascent  of  the  mountain  we  met  with 
several  tiny  streams,  rapid,  sparkling  and  limpid; 
their  banks  bordered  thickly  with  balsam  fir,  the 
water  clear  and  cold,  and  as  pleasant  to  the  taste 
as  it  was  pure  in  appearance.  Our  guides  tell  us 
that  the  water  of  these  streams  is  equally  as  cold 
in  summer. 

Following  the  course  of  one  of  these  mountain 
brooks  until  noon-time,  we  arrived  at  a  point 
commanding  one  of  the  finest  views  along  our 
route — a  broad  table-land  where  a  mound  of 
earth  had  made  a  natural  dam,  obstructing  the 
current  of  the  bright  living  waters  and  forming 
one  of  the  prettiest  little  lakes  imaginable,  its 
sides  fringed  with  a  thick  growth  of  laurel  and 
spruce  pine,  and  in  their  front  a  frame  of  moss- 

(339) 


340  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

grown  rocks  of  countless  shapes  and  sizes.  On 
a  pretty  elevation  near  the  water's  edge  we  called 
a  halt  and  held  an  informal  picnic,  and  such  a  one 
as  I  have  never  since  enjoyed,  although  the  cold- 
sliced  ham  with  bread  and  molasses,  washed  down 
with  apple-brandy  (which  one  of  the  canteens  was 
now  found  to  contain),  might  not  be  considered, 
under  other  circumstances,  a  remarkably  sump- 
tuous repast. 

Our  genial  surroundings  shed  a  new-found 
happiness  upon  the  members  of  our  little  party. 
We  are  breathing  a  healthier  atmosphere  and  en- 
joying a  greater  security  than  heretofore,  en- 
abling us  to  travel  in  daylight  and  converse  with 
one  another  without  much  restraint,  and  feeling 
that  w^e  are  fast  nearing  our  deliverance  ;  so,  with 
thankful  hearts,  we  eat,  drink,  and  are  merry,  not 
fearing  for  the  morrow.  After  our  enjoyable  col- 
lation we  shook  hands  and  reluctantly  parted 
with  the  Welshes.  They  turned  and  retraced 
their  steps  down  the  mountain's  side;  we  con- 
tinued to  ascend  its  rugged  heights.  After  travel- 
ling for  an  hour,  we  stopped  and  cast  a  long  last 
look  of  erateful  emotion  far  down  into  that  hos- 
pitable  valley  lying  below  us,  w^iere  dwelt  a  noble 
type  of  Irish-American  patriotism. 

The  -good  water,  the  bracing  air,  the  quantity 
and  quality  of  our  rations,  has  had  a  visible  effect 
upon  all  of  us,  and  by  nightfall  we  arrived  at  the 
summit   of  the    mountain,  calculated    by  one   of 


ON    THE    BORDER    LINE.  34I 

our  party  to  be  6,476  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea. 

We  selected  our  camping-ground,  gathered 
some  dry  leaves,  put  down  our  blankets  and  pre- 
pared for  undisturbed  repose.  We  can  now  in- 
dulge in  talking  aloud  ;  for  nearly  a  month  past 
we  have  been  schooled  to  whispering : 


Fearful  lest  some  evil  breeze  our  covert  should  disclose, 
And  lead  to  our  recapture  by  our  ever  watchful  foes. 


Miles  away  from  the  habitation  of  man  we  go 
to  rest,  conscious  of  the  unlikelihood  of  our  being 
disturbed,  except  possibly  by  some  wild  denizen 
of  the  forest.  We  build  a  fire  as  a  precaution 
against  this  latter  danger,  and  then  go  to  sleep. 
Far  in  the  night,  when  our  fire  was  smouldering 
and  almost  out,  we  were  startled  from  our  slum- 
bers by  a  mighty  rush  among  the  dry  leaves, 
followed  a  second  later  by  the  snorting  and  bound- 
ing away  of  deer. 

Friday,  December  2. — We  find  ourselves  now 
on  the  State  line  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennes- 
see. The  soil  of  the  mountains  is  very  rich ;  the 
earth  is  black  and  loose  and  heavily  timbered. 
Cage  Cove  is  five  miles  from  where  we  stand, 
with  a  continued  steep  descent  the  whole  distance. 
It  is  the  first  settlement  we  find  in  Tennessee,  and 
our  hearts  beat  joyfully  when  we  find  it  inhabited 
by  the  truest  types  of  Union  men.     Oh,  how  de- 


342  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

llorhtful   to   find   ourselves   amonof  friends    once 
more ! 

The  men  here  on  the  border  have  had  to  pay- 
dearly  for  their  loyal  principles,  but  they  are  a 
brave  and  determined  set,  and  often  make  it  de- 
cidedly unpleasant  for  small  bands  of  horse- 
thieves  and  other  marauders  who  come  among 
them,  as  we  discovered  when  at  the  foot  of  the 
mountain,  and  before  we  entered  the  Cove.  We 
there  entered  a  narrow  bridle-path,  upon  which, 
after  travelling  but  a  short  distance,  we  came  to 
a  halt,  attracted  by  a  fresh-dug  grave,  in  which 
were  imbedded  two  upright  posts,  to  which  was 
nailed  a  small  board  bearing  the  following  inscrip- 
tion in  rudely  painted  letters : 

"  Let  this  be  a  Warning  to  All  Horse-Thieves 

AND  Guerillas." 

Much  property  of  these  loyal  citizens  had  been 
taken  away  or  wantonly  destroyed,  and  a  number 
of  their  best  men  had  been  murdered  by  parties 
of  marauding  guerillas.  Only  a  month  previous  to 
our  arrival  a  gang  of  rebels  had  galloped  into  the 
little  settlement,  and  murdered  one  man  and  mor- 
tally wounded  another,  the  former  a  Mr.  Gregory 
and  the  latter  a  Mr.  Shields.  Mr.  Gregory's  son, 
we  learned,  was  one  of  the  rebel  party,  and  the 
parasite  was  well  aware  that  his  party  were  going 
to  murder  his  father. 


YELLING    FOR    JOY  343 

The  Cove  extended  westward  as  far  as  one 
could  see,  and  was  completely  encompassed  on 
the  east  and  south  by  large  mountains.  It  was 
level  and  fertile,  and  had  been  a  happy  and  pros- 
perous little  settlement  before  this  unholy  and 
fratricidal  strife. 

As  we  emerged  from  the  woods  and  found  our- 
selves in  the  Cove  we  felt  highly  elated  by  the 
knowledo^e  that  at  last  we  were  amonof  friends. 
But  that  newly  made  grave  should  have  admon- 
ished us  to  act  prudently  upon  entering  the  vil- 
lage. We  numbered  seven,  and  were  wild,  stal- 
wart-looking  fellows,  all  armed  with  stout  hickory- 
sticks,  which  at  a  distance  might  be  taken  for 
more  dangerous  weapons.  As  we  approached 
the  first  house  a  young  girl  appeared  in  the  door- 
way. The  house  was  yet  about  200  yards  in  our 
front,  and  to  the  right  of  us.  At  the  sight  of  the 
damsel  several  of  my  companions  raised  a  mighty 
shout,  whereupon  the  girl  suddenly  disappeared 
within,  apparently  badly  frightened. 

I  felt  very  indignant  at  such  imprudence,  which 
was  calculated  to  create  a  false  and  unnecessary 
alarm,  frightening  the  worthy  people  without 
reason,  and,  being  in  those  days  of  a  somewhat 
impulsive  and  hasty  disposition,  I  indulged  in  some 
cutting  remarks  as  to  their  newly  found  bravery 
and  culpable  lack  of  judgment. 

They  were  evidently  much  hurt  by  my  remarks, 
and  maintained  a  silence  and  reserve  for  some 


344  THE    FLYING    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

time  afterwards.  We  now  noticed  a  man  mounted 
upon  a  white  horse,  some  distance  in  advance  of 
us,  riding  into  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  we  then 
realized  that  he  was  o-ivine  the  alarm  to  the  set- 
tiers  that  the  rebels  were  in  the  Cove. 

We  proceeded  to  the  next  house,  where  we 
found  only  women  and  children.  We  explained 
our  circumstances  and  who  we  were  to  them,  and 
they  at  once  set  about  preparing  us  something  to 
eat  from  their  scanty  store.  We  asked  them  to 
send  word  as  soon  as  possible  to  their  neighbors 
that  we  were  friends  and  not  enemies. 

After  the  excitement  had  subsided,  and  when 
we  were  comfortably  disposed  of  in  the  house,  my 
comrades  held  a  whispered  consultation  apart 
from  me,  and  at  its  termination  advanced  and  de- 
manded that  I  should  apologize  for  the  insulting 
lanofuao^e  I  had  used  towards  them. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  I,  "  I  am  sorry  you  feel  so 
much  hurt  by  what  I  consider  a  deserved  rebuke 
for  a  rashness  so  evidently  alarming  to  these 
worthy  people ;  I  cannot  apologize,  so  you  will 
have  to  decide  as  to  the  best  way  to  redress  your 
imaginary  grievance." 

These  officers,  whom  I  have  earlier  introduced 
to  the  reader,  were  gentlemen  of  undoubted 
bravery,  refinement,  and  education,  and  were  well 
qualified  for  their  successful  and  arduous  journey. 
Three  of  them  were  of  the  regular  army  and  the 
other  three  of  the  volunteer  service,  selected  by 


Mm 


mt\ 


A    FALSE    ALARM.  345 

the  former  as  suitable  companions  In  the  effort  to 

escape. 

Thinking  that  seven  men  were  too  many  for 
this  poor  woman  at  whose  home  we  were  to  enter- 
tain, a  few  of  our  number  went  to  a  neighboring 
house.  I  was  one  of  the  party  that  remained. 
We  were  just  sitting  down  to  a  much-needed  and 
very  welcome  meal  when  the  startling  report 
reached  us  that  the  rebel  raiders  were  really  in 
the  Cove.  I  favored  remaining  and  taking  the 
chances  where  we  were  but  was  overruled ;  how- 
ever, I  did  remain  until  I  had  somewhat  appeased 
my  appetite  and  secured  something  in  my  haver- 
sack. 

We  then  started  for  a  low,  log  block-house, 
situated  in  a  small  clearing  in  the  woods,  accom- 
panied by  twelve  well-armed  and  determined 
Union  men.  Among  these  brave  men  of  the 
border  was  a  Mr.  George  Rowan,  seventy-nine 
years  old,  and  famous  as  a  hunter  who  hardly  ever 
missed  a  "buck,"  even  when  on  the  run.  He  was 
active,  light  of  foot,  muscular,  and  willing  to  show 
the  marauders  who  infested  his  neighborhood  what 
old  "79"  could  do. 

At  last  it  is  found  that  it  was  our  entry  that 
had  caused  the  alarm,  and  we  returned  to  the 
settlement. 

Saturday,  December  ^d. — After  being  right 
royally  entertained  by  our  friends  of  Cage  Cove 
we  prepared  to  depart.     I  was  so  fortunate  as  to 


34^  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

secure  the  loan  of  a  horse  from  one  of  the  settlers. 
It  was  agreed  that  one  of  the  citizens  should 
accompany  us  as  far  as  Knoxville  as  a  guide,  and 
should  brinof  back  the  horse  and  some  articles  of 
necessity  from  the  city  for  the  settlers.  We  also 
took  a  memorandum  of  some  notions  Intended 
for  the  ladies,  and  ammunition  and  other  articles 
for  the  men,  as  a  partial  return  for  their  kindness 
to  us. 

We  struck  out  for  Tuckaleechie  Cove,  four  or 
five  miles  distant,  which  place  we  soon  reached, 
end  found  all  good  and  loyal  men  there.  We 
stopped  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Campbell,  and  were 
very  kindly  treated.  Here  I  met  Mn  Samuel 
Wetzel,  from  my  State  (West  Virginia).  He 
knew  me,  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  make  us 
comfortable.  He  even  gave  me  his  horse  to  ride 
to  Knoxville,  and  I  transferred  the  one  I  rode  to 
Lieutenant  DeWeese. 

Sunday,  December  /^th. — Half  a  dozen  men 
of  this  second  Cove  mounted  their  horses  and 
came  with  us  for  about  twelve  or  fifteen  miles,  in 
order  to  put  our  foot-men  across  the  many  wide 
and  rapid  streams  along  our  route.  During  the 
day's  tramp  we  passed  through  a  fine  and  richly 
cultivated  country,  and  at  noon  we  ate  our  lunch 
upon  the  banks  of  a  beautiful  stream  within  ten 
miles  of  Knoxville. 

When  about  six  miles  from  the  city,  our  guide 
pointed  out  the  residence  of  a  Mr.  Brown,  who 


SALUTING    THE    OLD    FLAG.  347 

appeared  to  be  very  comfortably  situated.  We 
found  Mr.  Brown  very  reserved,  and  reluctant  to 
admit  us  at  first,  but  he  afterwards  treated  us  very 
well.  He  was  true  to  the  Union  cause,  and  had 
two  sons  In  the  United  States  army. 

Being  now  well  fortified  Inwardly,  we  feel  Invig- 
orated both  In  mind  and  body,  and  look  forward 
eagerly  to  our  reunion  with  our  gallant  com- 
rades in  arms,  from  whom  we  have  been  so  long 
and  so  unwillingly  separated,  and  to  reach  whom 
we  have  made  such  mighty  efforts  and  endured 
so  many  privations. 

When  at  last  we  came  in  sight  of  the  glorious 
old  flag,  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  waving  grandly  on 
the  fort  at  the  southern  end  of  Knoxvllle,  it  was 
not  to  be  wondered  at  that  we  raised  a  shout 
whose  tones  reverberated  from  valley  to  hill,  and 
returned  with  the  pleasing  assurance  of  the  advent 
of  our  longed-for  deliverance.  The  videttes  were 
on  the  alert,  and  at  our  appearance  thought  no 
doubt  that  the  enemy  was  approaching.  We 
were  challenged  and  closely  questioned  by  the 
pickets,  and  then  conducted  to  the  town  by  a  cor- 
poral of  the  guard.  When  near  the  town,  and 
still  In  the  vicinity  of  the  fort,  we  observed  evi- 
dent marks  of  recent  fighting,  which  had  occurred, 
we  learned,  only  a  few  days  previous  to  our 
entry. 
22 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Arrival  at  Knoxville — Governor  Brownlow — Interviewing 
Paymasters — Chattanooga — A  Sparring  Match — Lookout 
Mountain — The  German   Soldiers — Sheridan's   Ride. 

Arrived  at  Knoxville,  we  saw  some  four  or  five 
gentlemen  approaching  us.  They  were  evidently 
all  officers  except  one.  The  civilian  wore  a  suit 
of  dark-colored,  plain-cut  clothing,  and  I  recog- 
nized him  at  siorht,  althouo-h  I  had  never  seen  him 
before.  Walking  straight  over  to  where  he  stood, 
I  said : 

"You  are  Governor  Brownlow,  are  you  not?" 

"  Yes,"  he  answered,  "  but  I  do  not  recall  your 
face." 

"We  have  never  met  before,"  said  I,  "but  the 
last  book  I  have  read  claims  you,  sir,  as  its  able 
author;  and  Its  frontispiece  is  a  well-executed 
steel  engraving,  so  perfect  a  likeness  of  yourself, 
indeed,  that  I  could  not  possibly  mistake  the 
oriofinal." 

This  was  the  famous  "  Fighting  Parson,"  then 
Governor  of  Tennessee,  who  proved  as  true  to 
the  Union  as  he  was  to  the  Gospel,  and  as  ready 
to  confirm  his  position  with  the  sword  too,  if  needs 
be.  His  intelligence,  braver}^  influence  and  pa- 
O48) 


1 


GOVERNOR   WILLIAM   G.   BROWNLOW, 

"THE   FIGHTING    PARSON." 


GOVERNOR    BROWNLOW.  35 1 

triotism,  more  than  any  other  single  cause,  helped 
to  restrain  his  State  from  going  wholesale  into  the 
Confederacy.  While  I  am  taking  a  short  glance 
at  the  great  Governor  of  Tennessee,  his  friends 
are  scrutinizing  us  with  somewhat  humorous  curi- 
osity ;  and  no  wonder  they  do  so,  for  we  presented 
a  decidedly  ragged  and  unkempt  appearance  and 
were  almost  barefooted.  What  was  once  Dimick's 
old  blue  overcoat  is  now  the  funnieat-lookine 
garment  possible  to  imagine.  As  I  have  already 
stated,  it  was  at  first  a  very  long  one ;  but  when 
his  shoes  played  out,  before  we  reached  Franklin, 
he  commenced  at  the  bottom  of  the  skirts  and 
kept  clipping  them  off  to  protect  his  bare  feet 
from  the  sharp  and  frosty  ground,  until  now,  when 
we  arrive  in  Knoxville,  he  has  remaining  only  two 
sleeves,  or  parts  of  them,  and  a  strip  of  the  body 
probably  twelve  inches  long;  this  veritable  "cut- 
away "  on  a  big,  tall,  good-natured,  gallant  fellow 
like  Dimick,  was  calculated  to  make  even  an 
anchorite  laugh. 

I  took  from  my  haversack  an  ear  of  corn  and 
showed  it  to  the  Governor,  as  a  specimen  of  the 
chief  article  of  diet  upon  which  we  subsisted 
during  our  long  race  for  liberty.  He  called  the 
attention  of  his  staff  (his  son,  a  lieutenant,  being 
one  of  them)  to  the  kind  of  luxury  we  fared  on. 
All  were  very  sympathetic,  notably  the  Governor 
himself,  who  gave  orders  that  we  should  be  prop- 
erly attended  to  and  cared  for.     His  orders  were 


352  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

carried  out  punctiliously  and  with  cheerful  alac- 
rity ;  we  being  conducted  to  a  commodious  build- 
ing, where  a  warm  bath  was  prepared  for  us.  In 
a  short  time  each  came  from  the  healthy  ablution 
regenerated,  and  as  happy  as  a  brave  young  sol- 
dier when  donning  his  first  shoulder-straps. 

The  city  was  full  of  good  stories  of  the  gov- 
ernor, one  of  which  I  must  tell.  Long  after  every 
other  American  flag  had  been  hauled  down  in 
Knoxville,  he  courageously  kept  his  flying.  On 
one  occasion  a  Louisiana  regiment  en  route  for 
the  front  halted  in  the  city.  Seeing  the  Brownlow 
flag  flaunting  defiance  in  the  breezes,  they  sent  two 
men  to  cut  it  down.  The  parson's  daughter  an- 
swered their  summons  and,  learning  their  errand, 
drew  a  revolver  from  her  dress  pocket  and,  leveling 
it  at  them,  defiantly  replied  : 

"  Come  on,  sirs,  and  take  it  down !  " 
As  they  backed  off  before  her  determined  ad- 
vance they  said  something  about  getting  more 
men   to  do    the  work,  to  which  sne  sneeringly 
answered : 

"  Yes  ;  go  and  get  some  men;  you  are  not  men." 
On  the  following  day,  wishing  to  pay  some 
grateful  attentions  to  our  kind  friends  of  Cage 
Cove,  we  procured  some  needed  articles,  including 
boots,  shoes,  powder,  gun-caps,  etc.,  and  sent 
them  back  with  our  late  guide. 

Being  out  of  money  vve  applied  to  a  paymaster 
who  was  at  this  time  in  Knoxville,  for  some  of 


THE    CRUTCHFIELD    HOUSE.  353 

the  back  pay  due  us,  but  he  refused.  We  there- 
upon telegraphed  Major  Clark,  United  States  Pay- 
master, then  in  Chattanooga.  He  answered  us 
promptly,  saying: 

"  Come  on  ;  it  will  give  me  pleasure  to  relieve 
you." 

On  Wednesday  morning,  December  7th,  we 
started  for  Chattanooga  by  train,  but  had  a  slow 
ride,  not  arriving  there  until  5.30  o'clock  p.  m. 
We  put  up  at  the  Crutchfield  House,  kept  at  this 
time  by  a  Mrs.  Bishop.  It  had  the  poorest  ac- 
commodations that  I  ever  received  at  any  hotel 
charging  $3.50  per  day.  The  rooms  were  without 
fires  and  almost  barren  of  furniture.  We  even 
had  to  make  a  deposit  of  fifty  cents  each  for  the 
privilege  of  using  a  towel.  The  hotel  was  crowded 
with  a  promiscuous  gathering  of  civil  and  military 
dienitaries  and  hano^ers-on.  All  seemed  to  have 
plenty  of  money  and  seemingly  were  bent  upon 
spending  it.  The  presence  in  the  town  of  three 
United  States  paymasters  was  probably  the  cause 
of  the  unusual  plethora. 

In  such  a  modey  crowd,  as  was  but  natural  to 
suppose,  "John  barley-corn  "  flowed  freely,  giving 
loquacity  and  vivacity  to  the  veteran  braves,  and 
courage  and  self-importance  to  the  civilians. 
There  was  present  a  young  man  of  the  latter 
class,  who  was  conspicuous  among  all  the  assem- 
bly for  his  style  and  bearing.  He  boasted  of  how 
he  had  disposed  of  a  young  pugilist  the  evening 


354  ™E    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

before  In  a  soft  glove  encounter,  and  displayed  at 
the  same  time  a  set  of  gloves,  as  If  to  say,  "Who 
will  try  them  on  with  me?"  In  the  absence  of 
other  amusements,  the  "  manly  art "  was  generally 
practiced  by  our  men  during  the  war,  especially 
so  when  large  bodies  of  troops  were  quartered 
together  for  any  length  of  time. 

The  room  In  which  we  were  assembled  was 
quite  a  spacious  one,  and  had  a  large  stove  at  Its 
centre  for  heating  purposes.  No  one  seemed 
disposed  to  put  on  the"mits"  with  the  young 
man,  who  exhibited  fine  physical  proportions,  and 
looked  a  formidable  antagonist.  .Although  I  kept 
shady  for  some  time,  I  was  determined  that  he 
should  not  retire  untried.  Finally  I  suggested 
quietly  to  one  of  my  comrades  to  Introduce  me  for 
a  friendly  pass  with  the  redoubtable  youngster. 
As  he  did  so,  all  eyes  were  directed  towards  me, 
and  a  great  many  present  treated  my  acceptance 
of  the  defiance  as  a  joke,  and  laughed  good- 
naturedly,  as  did  also  the  young  athlete  himself. 
The  contrast  was  quite  striking  between  the 
youthful  and  blooming  giant  and  the  gray-haired 
and  somewhat  cadaverous-looking  old  man. 

My  opponent  smilingly  tossed  me  the  gloves, 
and  we  were  soon  In  position.  When  I  stood 
before  my  man  I  had  no  misgivings,  but  I  sparred 
cautiously  for  a  while,  until  I  got  an  opportunity 
to  use  my  right,  causing  him  to  spin  to  the  left. 
I  followed  this  up  a  second  later  and  while  he 


ON    LOOKOUT    MOUNTAIN.  355 

was  yet  on  the  move,  with  a  blow  from  the 
"  kithogue  "  on  his  left  ear,  which  sent  him  crash- 
ing against  the  stove  before  mentioned,  and  we 
had  a  time  gathering  it  up  hastily  to  prevent  a 
fire.  There  was  no  disposition  on  the  part  of  the 
young  fellow  to  renew  the  encounter. 

The  remainder  of  the  evening  passed  very 
pleasantly,  and  I  made  a  great  many  new  acquain- 
tances. 

The  next  day  I  received  five  months*  pay  from 
Major  Clark,  being  about  one-half  of  the  amount 
due.  The  other  officers  were  paid  also.  Major 
Clark  would  have  given  us  more  but  we  would 
not  accept  it,  as  we  were  running  a  risk  in  carry- 
ing even  so  much,  especially  those  of  us  who  later 
volunteered  to  cross  the  enemy's  path  again,  via 
Cumberland  Gap  and  Wild  Cat  Knob,  in  order  to 
reach  Cincinnati. 

On  Friday,  the  9th,  the  medical  director  pro- 
cured ambulances  and  had  us  conveyed  to  the 
summit  of  Lookout  mountain,  whereon  there  was 
then  an  officers'  hospital.  The  place  was  well 
kept,  with  beautifully  laid  out  grounds,  and  its  sit- 
uation and  the  ample  supplies  in  store  made  it 
an  eminently  admirable  place  for  convalescents. 
The  treatment  received  there  also  proved  highly 
conducive  to  the  building  up  of  the  shattered 
health  of  many  a  gallant  veteran.  The  journey 
thither  was  one  of  almost  continuous  ascent  from 
Chattanooga  to  the  top  of  the  mountain,  axid  con- 


356  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

seqiiently  our  progress  was  slow  and  somewhat 
tedious.  We  arrived  about  dinner  time,  and  were 
cordially  received  and  treated  in  a  characteristic 
soldierly  fashion.  We  enjoyed  our  dinner  and 
other  little  attentions,  with  the  relish  of  those  who 
had  lone  been  denied  such  luxuries. 

There  was  another  feature  connected  with  the 
neighborhood  that  occupied  our  thoughts  in  no 
small  degree.  We  were  now  looking  upon  the 
wild  and  natural  fastness  where  the  famous  battle 
*'  above  the  clouds  "  was  foucrht.  As  we  look  out 
upon  this  famous  battle-ground  with  the  appreci- 
ative eyes  of  old  soldiers,  we  feel  an  involuntary 
thrill  of  pride  at  the  wonderful  achievement  of 
the  Union  forces  on  this  memorable  occasion. 
What  a  galaxy  of  military  genius  and  chivalry  rep- 
resented our  army  here  !  With  such  leaders  as 
Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan,  Hooker,  Thomas, 
Geary,  Wood,  Dodge,  Granger,  the  Smiths,  Ew- 
ing,  Carlin,  Davis,  Palmer,  Osterhaus,  Howard  and 
Brannon,  it  is  no  wonder  that  those  able  and 
trained  generals,  Bragg  and  Longstreet,  with 
their  gallant  army,  flushed  with  their  late  success 
at  Chickamauga,  and  occupying  as  they  did  a  po- 
sition of  vastly  superior  natural  advantages,  could 
not  withstand  the  resistless  onslaught  of  the 
Union  troops. 

Satwday,  December  \oth,  was  a  wet  and  dis- 
agreeable day.  Heavy  clouds  encompassed  the 
mountain,  cutting  off  from  our  view  the  valley 


p 


p 


n 


3 
o 

c 

v> 

cr 
p 


> 

cr 
c 

■< 
ft) 


a 
Q 

c 

v 


P 
tn 

c 


P 
ffq 

tt 

Co 


1  / 

m 

;--■ 

=^- 

y^ . 

■>■:  • 

N 

1,.^^ 


;>  V        '  n,;:: 


*;; 

ri^if  !•;£«.:  x:i 

llBli 

"SiinS 

r  ;:;■::" 

'  •:::' 

"lytef 

Hfia    H 

^Sarajiji 

^ 

GENIAL    GERMANS.  359 

below.  But  everything  was  pleasant  and  comfort- 
able within  the  hospital,  where  there  was  a  good 
table  of  substantial  fare,  and  clean  and  warm 
sleeping  accommodation,  all  furnished  for  the 
moderate  charge  of  ^i  per  day. 

The  ward  to  which  we  were  assiojned  was  occu- 
pied  chiefly  by  officers  of  German  birth  or  descent, 
and  they  presented  such  a  picture  of  happy  con- 
geniality as  I  have  seldom  witnessed.  They 
appeared  to  have  to  eat  everything  desirable  and 
palatable  to  the  German  taste,  and  seemingly  no 
stint  of  the  beverage  so  dear  to  the  heart  of  the 
thoroughbred  Teuton.  Seated  on  their  cots,  which 
were  drawn  up  to  form  a  circle  for  the  occasion, 
with  packs  of  cards  between  them,  and  each  with 
a  meerschaum  pipe  between  his  lips,  making  the 
atmosphere  of  the  ward  redolent  with  smoke,  they 
looked  and  acted  the  picture  of  genuine  and  com- 
plete contentment. 

Having  incidentally  touched  upon  the  subject 
of  the  German  soldier,  I  would  here  say  that  their 
proverbial  thrift  and  industry,  their  admitted 
soldierly  qualities,  fraternal  Intercourse  and  loyalty 
to  one  another,  and  their  well-established  jealousy 
of  any  infringement  on  the  laws  of  liberty  and  jus- 
tice, are  such  as  to  be,  in  my  opinion,  well  worthy 
of  emulation. 

We  remained  up  until  a  late  hour  in  the  enter- 
taining company  of  these  hospitable  comrades, 
who   had   many  war   reminiscences   to   recount 


360  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

which  were,  of  course,  entirely  new  to  us,  on  ac- 
count of  our  remoteness  and  complete  Isolation 
while  in  prison.  We,  In  turn,  described  to  them 
the  luxuries,  the  pleasures  and  the  hospitalities 
we  uniformly  enjoyed  while  the  guests  of  our 
friends  In  the  "bright,  sunny  South."  And  now 
we  seek  our  peaceful  couches,  when  the  muse.  In 
one  of  her  mistaken  freaks,  taps  on  my  dull  cra- 
nium, and  so  I  think : 

For  hardships  and  dangers  passed,  comes  a  partial  reward  at  last, 
In  our  right  royal  reception  at  Lookout  mountain, 

Where  the  pure  and  bracing  breeze  doth  fan  the  lofty  trees, 
And  sparkling  falls  the  water  from  the  fountain. 

With  pleasure  and  with  pride  we  hear  of  Sheridan's  ride 
From  Winchester,  twenty  miles  from  his  command, 

Whom  he  found  in  full  retreat,  scared  and  badly  beat, 
But  at  once  he  brought  them  to  a  royal  stand. 

Then  bis  waving  sabre  flashes,  as  through  the  ranks  he  dashes, 

While  cheers  of  inspiration  rend  the  plain. 
He  shouts  "  Right  about,  my  boys,  we'll  give  Early  a  surprise, 

And  send  him  back  far  faster  than  he  came." 

When  the  aides  received  the  word,  their  horses  soon  were  spurred 

Into  the  broken  ranks,  extending  left  and  right, 
Then  to  the  front  and  rear  they  rapidly  repair 

With  instructions  to  push  into  the  fight. 

The  response  is  free  and  fast  as  they  hear  the  bugles*  blast. 

To  the  charge,  in  martial  notes  resounding, 
Then  on  the  double-quick,  through  bullets  hot  and  thick, 

Unchecked  our  gallant  troops  came  fiercely  bounding. 

Now  Early's  whole  command  here  made  a  stubborn  stand, 

But  from  centre  to  circumference  it  was  shaken. 
At  last  they  wheel  about,  their  retreat  becomes  a  rout. 

With  five  thousand  of  their  number  prisoners  taken. 


A    FREAK    OF    THE    MUSE.  36 

Their  cannon,  too,  and  rifles,  with  many  lesser  trifles, 

They  sustained  amongst  their  heavy  loss. 
Some  rebels  make  a  plea  that  Early  took  a  spree, 

But,  in  truth,  the  noble  Sheridan  was  his  "  boss." 

And  now  we  see  it  plain,  how  a  single  man  may  gain 

A  great  victory  from  seeming  dire  defeat. 
Among  all  the  shining  stars  of  the  votaries  of  Mara, 

General  Sheridan  is  the  hardest  yet  to  beat. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Another  Perilous  Journey — Captain  Grant — Almost  a  Duel — 
Cincinnati — Home  at  Last — Christmas,  1864. 

For  months  prior  to  the  date  of  our  arrival 
within  the  Union  Hnes,  Knoxville  and  Chatta- 
nooga had  been  the  rendezvous  of  escaping  pris- 
oners of  war  from  every  rebel  prison  within  a 
radius  of  six  hundred  miles,  all  of  whom  made 
these  places  their  objective  points.  The  majority 
of  them  were  now  anxious  to  get  home  ;  some  to 
stay  there,  but  more  to  rejoin  their  commands  at 
the  front  as  soon  as  possible.  Among  the  number 
most  anxious  to  return  to  the  North  were  Major 
Clark  and  his  two  assistant  United  States  pay- 
masters ;  but  how  to  do  so  was  the  absorbing 
question. 

Generals  Thomas  and  Hood  were  at  this  time 
engaged  in  a  deadly  conflict  at  Nashville,  on  the 
line  of  the  railroad  over  which  we  would  be  forced 
to  travel  to  reach  our  destination.  It  was  ques- 
tionable when  the  line  would  be  open  for  traffic, 
and  our  party  had  already  grown  impatient. 
There  remained  therefore  but  one  practicable, 
though  exceedingly  dangerous,  course  left  to  us; 

that  was  to  make  the  trip  overland  by  way  of 
(362) 


A    HAZARDOUS    TRIP.  363 

Cumberland  Gap  and  Wild  Cat  Knob,  to  Cincin- 
nati, 

This  route  would  involve  eight  days*  marching 
and  being  unguarded  by  our  troops  for  at  least  a 
hundred  miles,  the  journey  would  be  attended  with 
considerable  risk  to  so  small  a  party  as  ours 
proved  to  be.  This  latter  fact  was  owing,  in  a 
great  measure,  to  the  backwardness  of  a  majority 
of  the  men,  who  had  been  incarcerated  for  many 
weary  months  in  Southern  prisons,  to  incur  un- 
necessary dangers,  especially  so  as  they  were  now 
in  the  enjoyment  of  comparative  luxury  and 
among  friends. 

None  of  the  six  officers  with  whom  I  escaped 
volunteered  for  this  hazardous  trip  over  the  Cum- 
berland mountains,  preferring  to  remain  where 
they  were,  and  bear  the  ills  they  had,  rather  than 
fly  to  others  they  knew  not  of. 

On  Sunday,  December  nth,  after  a  hearty 
breakfast,  we  took  leave  of  our  kind  comrades  at 
the  military  hospital  on  Lookout  Mountain,  and, 
accompanied  by  several  other  officers,  walked 
leisurely  down  to  the  city.  The  day  was  fine  and 
the  road  good,  being  a  gradual  descent  all  the 
way.  We  found  the  exercise  very  agreeable  and 
exhilarating.  Arrived  at  Chattanooga,  we  found 
a  telegram,  dated  Knoxville,  from  Captain  Albert 
Grant,  in  which  he  informed  us  that  he  was  or- 
ganizing a  determined  little  force  to  make  the  trip 
above  mentioned,  and  asked  us  to  get  all  the  vol- 


364  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

unteers  In  Chattanooga  that  we  could,  and  to  come 
to  Knoxville  immediately. 

We  went  to  work,  and  by  nightfall  had  quite  a 
respectably  sized  squad  ready  for  departure  next 
morninof.  We  found  no  imorovement  in  the  ac- 
commodations  at  the  Crutchfield  House.  When 
ready  to  retire,  wq  were  shown  to  a  dormitory  as 
large  as  a  barracks  and  as  cold  as  an  iceberg. 
The  beds  were  as  hard  and  as  flat  as  gridirons. 
The  covering  of  each  consisted  of  a  sheet  and  a 
comfort^  but  what  a  misnomer  for  that  holey  and 
wafer-like  article!  The  furniture  In  the  room 
consisted  of  a  rickety  and  three-legged  chair, 
which  I  fear  one  of  the  boys  mistook,  next  morn- 
ing, for  kindling  wood. 

We  left  Chattanooga  for  Knoxville  early  Mon- 
day morning,  December  12th,  but  owing  to  the 
bad  condition  of  the  railroad  caused  by  continued 
neglect  of  repairs,  our  train  was  compelled  to  run 
very  slowly,  and  we  did  not  arrive  at  Knoxville 
until  about  an  hour  after  night. 

Captain  Grant  was  awaiting  us  at  the  depot, 
and  received  us  very  cordially.  We  were  quite 
well  pleased  with  the  genial  manner  of  the  viva- 
cious captain  upon  this,  our  first  acquaintance. 
He  informed  us  that  w^e  could  secure  quarters  at 
the  United  States  hospital.  We  accordingly  went 
to  the  place  named,  but  were  not  admitted.  Our 
next  move,  guided  by  the  captain,  w^as  to  the 
Franklin  House,  where  we  were  fortunate  enough 


SIGNING    THE    VOUCHERS.  365 

to  secure  ofood  accommodations,  and  where  we 
passed  a  very  pleasant  evening  In  the  company 
of  a  jovial  party  of  officers,  among  whom  our  new 
commander  was  acknowledored  to  be  the  most 
jolly.  He  appeared  to  be  considerably  elated  at 
the  prospect  of  commanding  an  expedition  to  be 
composed  of  so  many  commissioned  officers,  many 
of  whom  far  outranked  him. 

The  next  day,  Tuesday,  December  13th,  was 
spent  In  completing  all  necessary  arrangements 
for  our  march  over  the  mountains.  By  night- 
fall we  had  procured  a  supply  of  cast-off  arms 
and  accoutrements,  together  with  some  broken- 
down  horses  and  mules  from  the  quartermaster 
at  Knoxville.  This  officer,  before  delivering  these 
supplies,  required  vouchers  In  due  form  from  some 
responsible  member  of  our  party,  for  the  safe 
convoy  and  proper  rendering  up  of  the  property 
to  the  government  upon  our  arriving  at  Cincin- 
nati, or  sooner,  if  practicable. 

Captain  Grant,  I  understood,  signed  the  receipts 
presented  to  him,  thinking  It  no  doubt  a  mere  for- 
mality In  this  case,  as  the  material  received  was 
of  such  a  character,  being  almost  valueless,  as  to 
lead  him  to  believe  that  it  was  of  little  use  to 
the  government  or  to  any  one  else.  When,  there- 
fore, we  arrived  at  the  little  town  of  Crab  Orchard, 
in  Kentucky,  where  the  good-natured  captain  de- 
livered up  the  property  in  his  charge,  he  was  so 
pleased  with  the  success  of  his  expedition  over 


366  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

the  wild  and  rugged  mountains  that  he  neglected, 
thoughtlessly,  to  secure  proper  receipts  from  the 
quartermaster  at  Crab  Orchard.  Like  the  quarry- 
man,  however,  who  lost  the  contractor's  crowbar 
and  who  on  the  following  pay-day  informed  a 
friend  that  he  had  found  the  missing  tool,  and 
being  asked  by  that  individual,  *'  where  ?  "  replied, 
"  in  the  boss's  ledger ; "  so  Captain  Grant  a 
short  time  afterwards  found  his  biof  crowbar  in 
Uncle  Sam's  ledger  as  a  "  bar  "  to  his  back  pay, 
which,  owing  to  his  long  imprisonment,  amounted 
to  a  considerable  sum. 

On  Wednesday,  the  14th,  arms,  ammunition 
and  accoutrements  were  issued  to  us  by  Com- 
mander Grant.  He  also  made  an  assignment  of 
a  few  of  our  number  to  the  different  positions  In 
the  little  force.  He  designated  me  to  take  charge 
of  the  rear  guard.  Among  the  latter  I  recall  the 
names  of  a  few,  as  follows :  Captain  Fuller,  Lieu- 
tenants Thornburg,  Conn,  Good,  Coleman,  Ap- 
plegate  and  Tinker;  Sergeants  Gordon  and 
Crow ;  Privates  Carlisle,  Sells,  Westfall,  Bowers, 
Nelson,  Munnell,  Darcey  and  Monlan  ;  and  citizen 
Davis. 

The  first-named  officer,  Captain  Fuller,  of  the 
West  Virginia  State  Militia,  together  with  Private 
Darcey  above  mentioned,  and  two  other  comrades, 
while  away  from  their  command  on  a  scouting 
expedition,  were  captured  by  four  rebel  raiders. 
The  captain  related,  and  his  story  was  fully  cor- 


THE    TABLES    TURNED.  367 

/oborated  by  Private  Darcey,  that  while  being 
marched  to  prison  through  the  mountains  of  North 
CaroHna,  the  party  called  a  halt  one  day  about 
dusk,  at  a  deserted  cabin  on  the  summit  of  the 
mountain ;  they  made  a  fire,  cooked  their  food, 
and  soon  after  lay  down  and  fell  asleep,  the 
Confederates  foolishly  neglecting  to  guard  their 
prisoners.  Captain  Fuller,  however,  remained 
wide  awake  and,  at  the  proper  time,  gently  awak- 
ened his  comrades,  and  whispered  to  them  to  se- 
cure the  guns  of  their  escorts.  This  they  quietly 
did  and  at  last,  when  the  "  Johnnies  "  awoke  and 
rubbed  their  eyes,  they  found  themselves  the 
victims  of  a  bold  Yankee  trick. 

Captain  Fuller  now  told  his  ex-captors  that  his 
and  his  comrades '  safety  demanded  that  they  be 
summarily  disposed  of.  This  announcement 
scared  them  badly  and  they  begged  piteously  to 
be  allowed  to  go  unharmed,  promising  to  take 
any  obligation  required  to  not  make  any  alarm, 
or  attempt  their  recapture.  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
there  was  little  chance  of  their  beino-  able  to  do 
so  in  the  wild  and  Isolated  region  in  which  they 
were.  After  administerinof  most  solemn  obli^a- 
tions  to  each,  and  taking  the  guns  and  side-arms 
of  the  crest-fallen  "  Johnnies, "  Fuller  and  his 
party  departed  and  made  good  their  escape  to 
Knoxville. 

As  we  rode  out  of  Knoxville  at  ten  o'clock  a. 

M.  we  presented  a  rather  motley  and  Incongruous 
23 


368  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

appearance  in  our  variegated  uniforms  and  with 
our  rusty  firearms,  and  astride  of  animals  in  all 
stages  of  disease  and  decrepitude.  Military  dis- 
tinctions in  our  party  were,  in  a  great  measure, 
lost  sight  of  during  the  period  of  our  journey. 
The  major  and  the  sergeant,  the  colonel  and  the 
corporal,  rode  familiarly  side  by  side  on  terms  of 
the  greatest  intimacy,  sharing  each  other's  burdens 
and  privations  with  true  brotherly  solicitude. 

It  required  no  little  courage  to  face  such  a  road 
as  we  now  had  before  us,  of  about  two  hundred 
miles  in  length,  and  through  an  almost  unbroken 
wilderness. 

About  an  hour  after  starting  one  of  our  team 
mules  lay  down  with  the  proverbial  deliberation 
of  his  species,  and  no  amount  of  coaxing  and 
beating  judiciously  divided  availed  to  bring  him 
out  of  the  mire.  With  some  further  effort  he 
was  released  from  his  harness  and  extricated  from 
the  mud,  and  replaced  in  the  wagon  by  one  of 
the  pack  mules,  and  we  moved  ahead  again. 

Throughout  our  journey,  whenever  any  of  the 
teams  would  stall,  or  get  into  particularly  bad 
places,  which,  as  may  be  surmised,  was  quite 
often,  our  men  would  cheerfully  place  their 
shoulders  to  the  wheels,  and  so  keep  the  tired 
animals  up.  By  these  means,  together  with  the 
good  care  taken  of  the  stock,  we  were  enabled 
to  make  surprisingly  good  headway. 

Being  busy  attending  to  the  duties  assigned  to 


IN    THE    enemy's    COUNTRY.  369 

me,  on  this  difficult  trip,  I  here  quit  my  diary  en- 
tries for  good  until  I  rejoin  my  company  before 
Richmond. 

I  believe  it  was  on  the  eve  of  our  first  day's 
march  that  we  came  to  a  rapid  stream,  the  de- 
scent to  which  was  steep  and  winding.  The  oppo- 
site side  was  high  and  closely  wooded  to  the 
water's  edge ;  a  most  favorable  time  and  place 
for  the  enemy  to  attack  us  would  be  here,  while 
we  were  fording  this  river.  It  was  getting  dark 
as  we  approached  the  stream,  and  we  could  dis- 
cern several  flickering  lights  in  the  woods  in  our 
front  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  current. 
Our  advance  checked  up  long  enough  to  enable 
us  to  get  into  more  compact  shape,  and  for  a 
brief  consultation  among  the  officers. 

It  was  decided  to  feel  for  the  enemy,  or  to 
awaken  him  if  found  where  the  lights  indicated. 
To  this  end  se\^eral  well-aimed  shots  were  fired 
in  that  direction,  without  awakening  any  response. 
We  then  took  to  the  river,  which  proved  barely 
fordable,  passed  over  safely  without  molestation, 
and  encamped  for  the  night  on  a  level  space  about 
a  half  mile  beyond  the  river,  where  we  picketed 
our  animals  and  disposed  of  the  wagons  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  afford  us  the  best  protection  in 
the  event  of  an  attack. 

We  also  had  guards  properly  placed  around  the 
camp  with  a  schedule  of  reliefs,  and  used  every 
precaution    to    guard   against   a   surprise.     The 


370  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED   YANK. 

presence  In  our  midst  of  three  United  States 
paymasters  made  us  more  watchful  than  we  other- 
wise might  have  been,  knowing  that  the  enemy, 
if  aware  of  their  proximity,  would  naturally  be 
greatly  interested  in  the  capture  of  such  a  booty 
as  these  gentlemen  might  reasonably  be  supposed 
to  have  in  their  possession.  Happily  this  night 
of  our  greatest  apprehension  passed  without  in- 
terruption. Our  trip,  aside  from  its  dreary  tedious- 
ness,  was  devoid  of  any  particular  interest  as  re- 
gards incidents,  if  I  except  the  following  humorous 
episode,  though  at  one  time  it  promised  to  be  tragic 
in  its  character. 

In  the  organization  of  our  somewhat  diversified 
band,  in  which  the  colonel  or  the  major  was 
liable  to  be  called  upon  occasionally  to  perform 
the  duties  ordinarily  appertaining  to  the  private, 
it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  a  very  strict  system 
of  discipline  could  be  maintained,  although,  as  a 
rule,  rank  and  grade  were  temporarily  waived  in 
passive  submission  to  the  gentleman  who  had  as- 
sumed command.  The  one  exception  to  this  ar- 
rangement was  Captain  Todd,  a  small,  vivacious 
young  fellow,  full  of  life  and  spirits,  and  possessed 
of  considerable  good  nature,  though  at  times  a 
trifle  headstrong.  When  passing  a  small  settle- 
ment in  the  mountains,  the  houses  of  which  pre- 
sented the  external  appearance  of  possessing 
some  home  comforts,  Todd  and  one  or  two  com- 
rades made  an  incursion  in   the   direction   of  the 


A    DUEL    IMPENDING.  37 1 

abodes  and  confiscated,  as  contraband  of  war, 
whatever  articles  caught  their  fancy,  and  v/ere 
easily  portable.  When  these  acts  of  pillage  came 
to  the  ears  of  Commander  Grant,  he  became 
virtuously  indignant  at  such  a  flagrant  breach  of 
discipline,  and  forthwith  he  sought  out  the  doughty 
little  captain  and  severely  reprimanded  him  for 
his  offence. 

Todd  was  on  his  dignity  in  a  moment,  and  re- 
torted to  the  censure  in  terms  anything  but  com- 
plimentary to  the  dignity  of  a  commander  who, 
as  in  this  case,  was  honored  with  the  control  of  as 
many  commissioned  officers  as  a  brigadier-gen- 
eral.    Crimination  and  recrimination  were  hurled 
at  each  other  by  the  thoroughly  infuriated  officers, 
who  were  already  grasping  the  hilts  of  their  rusty 
swords.     At  this  critical  juncture  several  officers 
interposed,  and  a  truce  was  called.     So  ended  for 
that  day  what  appeared  to  be  a  near  approach  to 
a  bloody  encounter.     That  night  when  the  two 
belligerents  sought  their  couches  it  was  only  to 
brood  over  their  respective  grievances  of  insult 
and  injured  dignity,  which  grew  larger  the  more 
they  were   thought   of,   until    by   morning   both 
gendemen  were  in  a  state  bordering  on  frenzy. 
As  a  result,  a  challenge  passed  between  the  two 
officers  as  soon  as  day  permitted  the  hostile  inter- 
change.     As  to  which  of  them  issued  the   san- 
guinary document  I  am.not  prepared  to  say,  but 
I  believe  it  was  Captain  Todd. 


372  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

By  this  time  the  entire  command  had  become 
apprised  of  what  was  transpiring.  The  majority 
of  us  looked  upon  the  matter  as  a  huge  joke,  but 
all  were  prepared  to  prevent  if  necessary  any  such 
foolish  passage-at-arms.  The  humorists  of  our 
party  derived  a  great  deal  of  enjoyment  from 
several  interviews  obtained  under  the  guise  of 
deeply  concerned  friendship  with  the  challenged 
party,  who  had,  under  the  rules  of  the  code,  the 
choice  of  weapons.  He  was  asked  what  weapon 
he  preferred ;  if  he  named  a  revolver,  one  of  the 
jokers  would  interpose,  and  with  great  serious- 
ness inform  the  duellist  that  his  opponent  was  a 
dead-shot  If  the  sword  was  mentioned,  another 
friend  would  volunteer  the  information  that  with 
that  w^eapon  the  challenger  was  invincible,  and  so 
on  all  through  the  list.  Another  objection  to 
such  a  method  of  settling  their  grievances,  and 
one  that  appeared  to  have  been  momentarily  lost 
siorht  of,  was  that  one  of  the  articles  of  war  in  the 
book  of  army  regulations  expressly  prohibited, 
under  a  severe  penalty,  any  resort  by  officers  to 
the  code  of  honor. 

I  cannot  say  which  of  the  points  raised  as  a  bar 
to  bloodshed  had  the  most  potential  effect,  but  I 
am  safe  in  stating  that,  after  this  latter  intimation, 
our  peaceful  interpositions  were  not  so  strongly 
resisted  by  either  of  the  valiant  gentlemen.  For 
two  or  three  days  following  the  issuing  of  the 
challenge  the  dying  embers  of  the  hostile  blaz^ 


HOME    FOR    CHRISTMAS.  373 

would  flicker  up  again,  but  at  last  it  died  out  com- 
pletely in  boyish  forgetfulness,  leaving  but  slight 
traces  of  this  amusing  interlude  to  an  otherwise 
weary  journey  over  the  worst  road  in  all  crea- 
tion. 

We  found  a  detachment  of  our  troops  at  Cum- 
berland Gap,  and  enjoyed  in  consequence  more 
repose  and  creature  comforts  there  than  at  any 
place  since  leaving  Knoxvllle.  Cumberland  Gap 
is  a  natural  stronghold  ;  wild,  rocky,  and  precipi- 
tous to  such  a  degree  as  would  enable  a  small 
body  of  troops  to  withstand  an  army.  Henceforth 
to  the  end  of  our  journey  travelling  was  safe  and 
pleasant,  and  nothing  occurred  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  trip  worthy  of  mention. 

Our  minds  were  now  alike  concentrated  on  the 
sweet  thoughts  of  home  and  friends,  and  when 
•we  reached  the  first  railroad  station  a  partial 
separation  among  the  members  of  our  band  took 
place,  and  at  Cincinnati  a  complete  breaking  up 
of  the  party.  So  far  as  I  am  concerned  it  was 
almost  ^a  final  one,  having  seen  but  one  of  our 
entire  number  since,  and  that  was  Captain  Grant, 
whom  I  met  some  years  later  in  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington, he  still  being  in  trouble  with  the  govern- 
ment authorities  regarding  his  non-accounting 
for  the  stores  furnished  him  for  our  expedition. 

When  I  arrived  in  Cincinnati  about  the  first 
thing  I  did  was  to  telegraph  my  wife  that,  God 
permitting,  I  would  see  her  in  three  days  from 


374  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK, 

date  of  message,  which  would  be  Christmas,  1 864. 
I  was  at  home  according  to  promise.  My  unex- 
pected return  and  gaunt  and  pallid  appearance 
looked  so  much  like  a  resurrection  of  the  dead 
that  some  of  my  friends,  and,  indeed,  one  of  my 
family — my  eldest  son — questioned  my  identity. 
Of  course  this  state  of  affairs  was  merely  mo- 
mentary, and  soon  we  were  gathered  around  the 
festal  board,  laden  with  a  bounteous  Christmas 
dinner,  which,  as  may  be  surmised,  we  discussed 
with  joyful  hearts  and  good  appetites. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

Leaving  Home — Chapin's  Farm — A  Foot-Race  for  a  Paper  Col- 
lar— Hatcher's  Run — On  to  Petersburg — Storming  of  Forts 
Gregg  and  Whitworth — Tribute  to  General  Harris — Escape 
OF  THE  Enemy. 

After  a  long  and  painful  absence,  covering  a 
period  into  which  were  crowded  incidents  of  such 
character  and  number  as  do  not  fall  to  the  lot  of 
most  men,  I  am  at  last  at  home  in  the  bosom  of 
my  little  family  and  surrounded  by  kind  friends, 
all  glad  to  have  me  with  them  again  and  anxious 
that  I  should  remain.  Having  "exchanged"  my- 
self by  running  away  from  prison,  there  was 
nothing  to  prevent  my  remaining  quietly  at  home, 
watching  events  until  all  the  danger  was  over,  and 
then,  reporting  to  the  proper  authorities,  rejoin 
my  company  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

But,  as  before  stated,  my  strongest  incentive 
to  undertake  the  many  hardships  connected 
with  my  escape  from  the  South  was  not  so 
much  the  thoughts  of  the  endearments  of  home 
as  the  hope  of  rejoining  my  command  at  Chapin's 
Farm,  before  Richmond.  This  I  did  ten  days 
prior  to  the  expiration  of  my  leave  of  absence  of 
one  month  granted  by  the  Secretary  of  War  to  all 
escaped  prisoners,  and  this  fact  should  be  accepted 

(375) 


376  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

as  sufficient  evidence  of  my  unaltered  determina- 
tion to  do  my  full  duty  to  the  end. 

About  the  middle  of  February  I  again  parted 
from  my  family  and  started  for  the  front.  I  could 
not  help  feeling  that  my  chances  of  returning 
were  very  slight  indeed.  It  was  easy  to  perceive 
and  natural  to  expect  that,  as  the  struggle  ap- 
proached its  final  and  conclusive  blow,  the  conflict 
would  be  continuous,  fierce,  desperate,  and  much 
circumscribed  In  its  scope,  and  for  all  these 
reasons  doubly  dangerous  to  the  participants  of 
both  armies. 

As  a  member  of  a  skirmishing  company  I  ex- 
pected to  occupy  an  active  and  adv^anced  position 
in  the  front,  where,  if  there  was  any  work  to  be 
done,  we  were  sure  of  being  among  the  first 
called  upon  to  assist  in  its  performance. 

Filled  with  these  thoughts,  I  prepared  a  day  or 
so  before  my  departure  a  few  lines  of  farewell  to 
my  wife  and  family,  with  instructions  that  the  seal 
be  not  broken  except  in  the  event  of  my  death. 
This  letter,  of  course,  has  never  yet  been  opened, 
and  still  remains  among  my  papers. 

When  passing  through  Washington,  D.  C,  on 
my  way  to  rejoin  my  company,  then  with  the 
Army  of  the  James,  I  neglected  to  call  upon 
"Honest  Abe,"  our  martyred  President,  with 
whom,  as  Is  well  known,  the  humblest  soldier  In 
the  land  was  always  sure  of  securing  an  audience 
and  a  coi-dlal  welcome.     Had  I  Imagined  that  I 


BACK   TO    MY    COMMAND.  377 

should  never  again  have  that  honored  privilege  I 
assure  the  reader  I  would  not  have  overlooked  it 
then. 

The  Army  of  the  James,  Major-General  E.  O. 
C.  Ord  commanding,  was  encamped  on  the  plains 
at  Chapin's  Farm,  confronting  Richmond.  A  few 
days  after  my  arrival  there,  on  the  1 7th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1865,  the  I  St  Division  of  the  Army  of  West 
Virginia,  embracing  the  loth,  nth,  12th,  and  15th 
West  Virginia  Infantry  Regiments,  was  incor- 
porated Into  the  24th  Army  Corps,  Major-General 
John  Gibbon  commanding.  Our  regiments  formed 
the  3d  Division  of  this  corps,  commanded  by 
Brevet  Major-General  John  W.  Turner;  the  ist 
Brigade  of  this  Division  was  composed  of  the 
loth,  nth,  and  15th  Regiments,  under  command 
of  Brigadier-General  (later  Brevet  Major-General) 
Thomas  M.  Harris;  while  the  12th  Regiment  was 
incorporated  In  the  3d  Brigade,  under  command 
of  Colonel  William  B.  Curtis,  of  the  12th. 

All  of  the  boys  of  the  company  appeared  glad 
to  see  me  after  our  lonor  and  somewhat  event- 
ful  separation.  I  found  them,  on  my  return,  well 
seasoned  veterans,  with  a  record  made  durlno- 
my  absence  that  was  a  source  of  pride  to  both 
the  men  and  their  captain. 

Wherever  and  whenever  there  "are  large  bodies 
of  troops  encamped  for  any  considerable  period, 
as  was  the  case  here  at  Chapin's  Farm,  at  the  time 
of  which  I  write,  there  will  often  occur   laugh- 


378  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

able  Incidents,  originating  In  the  wild  exuberance 
of  some  of  the  younger  men,  seeking  a  means  of 
whiling  away  the  tedium  of  camp-life.  One  of 
these  litde  episodes  took  place  shortly  after  my 
return  to  my  company,  which  has  often  since 
been  laughingly  recalled  to  my  mind  by  many  of 
the  men  who  participated  in  the  mirth-provoking 
race. 

The  line  officers  not  having  much  to  do,  were 
wont  to  devote  a  goodly  portion  of  their  time  to 
the  self-pleasing  task  of  adorning  their  persons 
as  becomingly  as  was  possible  under  the  circum- 
stances. It  was  about  this  time  that  "paper 
collars  "  appeared  on  the  market,  and  when  the 
officers  found  these  little  articles  in  the  list  of  the 
sutler's  supplies,  they  eagerly  purchased  his  en- 
tire stock,  and  lost  no  time  in  arraying  themselves 
in  their  best  uniforms  and  adorning  themselves 
witli  one  of  these  immaculate  delusions. 

When  I  found  all  my  brother  officers  thus  ap- 
parelled, I  too  followed  the  general  lead,  rather 
than  appear  odd.  These  innovations,  however, 
were  looked  upon  with  high  disfavor  by  the  rank 
and  file,  and  so,  shortly  after  the  appearance  of 
the  delusive  parchment  choker,  the  men  instituted 
a  regular  and  determined  raid  upon  the  obnoxious 
collar,  and  soon  countless  bits  of  white  paper 
could  be  found  strewn  about  the  camp  in  all 
directions,  remnants  of  the  shattered  pride  of  the 
officers. 


RACING    FOR   A   PAPER   COLLAR.  379 

One  day,  during  the  progress  of  this  crusade  of 
extermination,  I  was  sitting  In  my  little  "  quarters  " 
engaged  In  some  writing  and  arrayed  in  one  of 
the  hated  little  neck-bands,  when  my  attention 
was  attracted,  by  a  mighty  shout  in  my  immediate 
neighborhood,  to  a  large  crowd  of  men  approach- 
ing in  the  direction  of  my  quarters.  I  soon  learned 
of  their  object,  and  immediately  became  resolved 
for  fun. 

Jumping  up,  I  loosened  the  breast  buttons  of 
my  jacket,  and  as  the  foremost  despoiler  appeared 
at  the  entrance  to  my  tent  I  made  a  rush  in  his 
direction,  like  a  headstrong  pig,  but,  stooping 
under  his  arms,  I  escaped  his  clutches.  Once 
outside  in  the  open  ground  I  straightened  up  and 
started  away  from  my  determined  pursuers  over 
a  field  as  level  as  possible,  and  of  hundreds  of 
acres  in  extent. 

It  is  difficult  to  imagine  a  more  exciting  chase 
than  now  took  place.  At  first  the  large  number 
of  my  pursuers  was  appreciably  augmented  by 
fresh  recruits,  but  soon  the  crowd  dwindled  down 
and  the  contest  remained  only  to  the  best  and  more 
determined  runners.  These  often  and  often 
succeeded  in  putting  their  hands  on  me  for  an 
instant,  but  by  an  active  turn  or  sudden  twist  I 
threw  them  off  and  sped  away.  One  by  one  the 
men  abandoned  the  chase  until  I  was  free  to 
rest,  and  finally  to  return  to  camp,  where  I  found 
a  great  crowd  awaiting  me,  of  whom  I  requested 


380  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

the  honor  of  being  permitted  to  wear  the  collar 
of  which  they  had  failed  to  divest  me.  I  am 
pleased  to  be  able  to  state  that  my  request  was 
cheerfully  granted,  and  I  was  ever  afterwards  un- 
molested in  the  exercise  of  my  right  to  wear  the 
article  in  question. 

The  next  move  of  any  importance  of  our  divi- 
sion was  on  the  26th  of  March,  1865,  when  we 
were  ordered  to  Long  Bridge,  on  the  Chicka- 
hominy.  The  place  of  our  encampment  had  been 
at  New  Market,  whither  we  had  gone  a  few  days 
before  to  aid  General  Sheridan  to  effect  a  cross- 
ing of  that  stream  on  his  way  from  the  White 
House  to  the  south  side  of  James  river;  but  on 
our  arrival  at  the  designated  point  we  found  that 
General  Sheridan  had  already  effected  a  crossing 
several  miles  below.  The  division  then  returned 
to  New  Market,  where  it  received  orders  to  pro- 
ceed at  once  to  the  left  of  our  line  at  Hatcher's 
Run,  to  co-operate  in  the  general  movement 
against  the  enemy. 

The  1st  Brigade,  loth,  nth,  and  15th  Regi- 
ments West  Virginia  Infantry,  under  command 
of  General  T.  M.  Harris,  was  the  first  to  strike 
the  enemy's  lines  at  an  angle  where  two  of  his 
forts  were  concentrated  near  Petersburg.  In  ap- 
proaching these  outer  forts  Companies  A  and 
B  of  the  15th  Regiment,  Captain  Dovenner  in 
charge  of  the  former,  and  the  writer  of  the  latter 
company,  were  ordered  by  General  Harris  to  ad- 


AT   THE    VERY    FRONT.  38 1 


> 


vance  as  skirmishers,  which  we  at  once  did,  driving 
in  the  enemy's  outer  posts. 

In  marching  in  advance  here  we  passed  the 
late  encampment  of  a  portion  of  the  enemy  re- 
cently engaged  in  the  conflict  with  our  farces. 
The  scene  that  presented  itself  was  a  horrible  one 
to  look  upon.  The  ground  was  cut  up  in  many 
places  by  newly  made  graves,  sticking  up  from  a 
number  of  which  could  be  seen  the  ghasdy  heads 
of  the  hastily  and  imperfecdy  buried  soldiers. 
The  woods  and  ground  for  a  good  distance  sur- 
rounding the  late  rebel  camp  were  also  badly 
shattered  and  cut  up  by  our  shot  and  shell.  I 
was  afraid  the  awful  spectacle  would  have  a  dam- 
pening effect  upon  the  ardor  of  our  boys  now 
going  in,  who  were  expected  to  give  a  good  ac- 
count of  themselves.  The  sight  had  no  apparent 
bad  effect,  however,  and  they  performed  their 
duty,  as  usual,  without  faltering.  We  kept 
steadly  on  In  front  of  these  forts,  compelling  the 
enemy  to  fall  back  to  his  trenches. 

Being  now  as  far  as  we  could  go  without  making 
reo-ular  targets  of  ourselves  for  the  enemy's 
sharpshooters,  protected  behind  his  breastworks, 
I  halted  my  company,  and  ordered  the  men  to  lie 
down.  We  found  ourselves  In  an  open  field  at 
the  time  I  gave  this  order,  without  the  slightest 
protection  of  any  kind,  even  while  lying  prostrate 
on  the  ground,  and  a  number  of  my  men  were 
badly  w^ounded  while  thus  exposed.     Fearing  a 


382  THE    FLYING,    GKAY-H AIRED    YANK. 

sudden  approach  of  the  enemy  from  an  unex- 
pected quarter,  and  In  order  to  see  perfectly  all 
that  was  going  on  in  front  of  and  behind  us,  I 
remained  standing  and  in  consequence  had 
several  narrow  escapes.  For  a  short  time,  while 
in  this  exposed  situation,  I  had  the  slight  pro- 
tection of  an  Isolated  sapling  of  about  seven 
inches  In  diameter,  and  probably  fifteen  feet  in 
height.  Such  as  it  was,  it  undoubtedly  saved 
my  life  from  a  bullet  which  otherwise  would  have 
taken  me  full  in  the  breast. 

During  this  day  my  clothing  was  cut  in  five 
different  places,  and  one  of  my  boots  became 
pretty  well  filled  with  blood  from  a  flesh-wound 
in  the  calf  of  my  left  leg,  which,  though  painful,  was 
not  serious  enough  to  cause  me  to  discontinue 
the  usual  performance  of  my  duty.  We  were 
doing  no  practical  good  in  our  present  open  situ- 
ation ;  we  had  complied,  as  far  as  I  understood 
them,  with  our  instructions,  which  were  to  ad- 
vance, feel  for,  and  locate  the  enemy ;  and  now  to 
remain  longer  in  the  position  we  then  occupied 
would,  I  calmly  believed,  be  more  censurable 
than  praiseworthy.  I  therefore  ordered  my  com- 
pany to  fall  back. 

I  may  have  been  influenced  in  making  this 
move  as  soon  as  I  did  by  the  entreaties  of  one 
of  my  men,  who  called  my  attention  to  the  fact 
that  we  were  under  a  cross-fire,  and  urged  that  I 
ouorht  to  order  a  retreat.     We  fell  back  to  the 


BEFORE   THE    SHARPSHOOTERS.  ^S^ 

main  body,  which  soon  after  moved  forward  in 
grand  line  of  battle  confronting  the  two  forts, 
which  now  opened  fire  upon  us  with  grape.  It 
was  in  this  movement  that  I  received  the  wound 
in  my  leg  referred  to  above. 

On  reaching  a  low  ground  not  far  from  the 
most  troublesome  of  the  two  forts  our  brigade 
halted.  We  were  directed  to  keep  up  a  sharp 
fire  upon  the  enemy  whenever  he  showed  his 
head  over  his  breastworks.  By  this  means  we 
checked  his  destructive  fire  very  materially,  and 
were  enabled  to  hold  our  position  without  much 
trouble  or  serious  loss.  About  this  time  we  re- 
ceived orders  from  our  general  to  be  more  spar- 
ing of  our  ammunition.  Being  senior  officer  on 
the  line,  I  complied  with  the  instructions  by  order- 
ing the  skirmishers  to  slacken  fire ;  but  I  soon 
found  that  to  continue  inactive  must  be  at  the 
expense  of  the  lives  of  my  men,  as  they  now  com- 
menced to  fall  all  around  me,  being  picked  off  in 
safety  by  the  enemy's  sharpshooters.  So,  think- 
ing it  better  to  save  lives  than  powder  and  lead, 
we  renew^ed  our  practice  to  the  extent  previously 
Indulged  in,  with  an  immediate  good  effect ;  but 
now  General  Turner  rode  out  to  where  we  were, 
and  in  an  angry  tone  ordered  us  to  cease  firing 
altogether.  His  orders  were  repeated  and 
obeyed,  but  the  moment  they  were  so  a  perfect 
fusillade  of  shot  poured  into  us,  giving  the  gen- 
eral a  better  understanding  of  our  position. 
24 


384  THE    FLYING,    GRAY- HAIRED    YANK. 

I  do  not  know  how  he  escaped  the  shower  of 
leaden  hail  which  fell  thick  and  last  around  hlwi. 
On  his  perilous  retreat  back  to  the  main  bo'ly 
he  called  out  to  us  to  keep  up  a  slow  fire,  but  to 
husband  our  ammunition.  We  did  50,  and  per- 
formed some  nice  sharpshooting  on  our  pa-t, 
for  the  remainder  of  the  afternoon,  when  we  fell 
back,  under  orders,  on  the  main  body.  This  pi  ;> 
liminary  engagement  occurred  on  the  ist  ot 
April,  1865,  and  during  the  night  of  that  date  we 
enjoyed  but  little  repose,  being  under  arms  a.i 
night. 

The  death-like  sdllness  that  reigned  during 
the  early  hours  of  the  night  gave  no  intimation 
of  the  stern  work  about  to  be  inaugurated  on 
the  morrow.  It  was  the  calm,  however,  that  pre- 
cedes the  storm.  To  many  a  hero  whose  thoughts, 
doubtless,  were  on  a  smiling  home  and  fond 
friends,  if  in  this  immediate  and  mighty  conflict 
he  might  be  spared  to  see  the  one  and  grasp  the 
warm  hand  of  the  other,  it  proved  a  last  night 
before  the  orreat  dawn  of  the  resurrection.  Many 
of  these  brave  boys,  whose  patriotism  predomi- 
nated over  every  other  feeling,  were  seen  by  us 
on  the  following  day  to  gallandy  and  unselfishly 
mount  the  breach  unbidden,  and  to  face  the  steei 
of  a  desperate  foe  at  least  five  dmes  their  num- 
ber.* 


*  The  heroes  of  the  storming  of  Fort  Gregg. 


THE    LAST    STRUGGLE.  385 

About  two  or  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  of 
April  2,  1865,  there  burst  upon  the  ears  of  the 
armed  mass  of  expectant  listeners  such  a  thun- 
derous sound  of  Bellona's  pent-up  resources  as 
never  before  or  since  reached  the  eager  hearing 
of  her  chivalrous  votaries.  A  simultaneous  ad- 
vance on  the  enemy's  works  throughout  the 
length  of  the  whole  line  extending  several  miles 
was  now  inauofu rated. 

All  of  the  many  appliances  of  modern  war- 
fare, from  the  great  siege-gun  and  other  monster 
cannon  down  to  the  death-dealing  Gading  gun; 
the  sixteen-shoodng  breach-loading  rifle,  carbines, 
muskets,  and  even  six-shooting  navy  revolvers, 
were  here  brouo^ht  into  combined  and  terrible 
requlsluon  by  the  determined  and  frenzied  forces 
of  the  two  great  contending  armies  engaged  in 
the  last  supreme  struggle  of  a  long  and  bitter  war. 

This  \w2is  indeed  a  moment  to  "  try  men's 
souls,"  and  many  of  the  participants  in  the  awful 
event  never  recovered  from  the  nerve-shattering 
ordeal.  One  very  stout-looking  soldier  named 
Reese,  a  private  of  Company  G,  of  our  regiment, 
became  a  raving  maniac  on  the  instant,  from  the 
great  and  unexpected  shock  to  his  nervous 
system  caused  by  the  tremendous  and  sudden 
roar  of  cannon  and  outpour  of  musketry  on  that 
memorable  morning.  In  his  wild  ravings  he  con- 
tinued to  cry  out,  as  he  walked  aimlessly  up  and 
down  near  me : 


386  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

"  Put  up  your  sword;  put  up  your  sword;  let 
us  shed  no  more  blood ;  the  war  is  over,  the  war 
is  over." 

For  some  time  after  the  thunderous  opening 
of  hostihties  by  the, cannon  from  the  batteries  on 
our  right  and  left  we  were  compelled  to  stand  in- 
active, awaiting  the  break  of  day  before  moving 
on  the  forts  In  our  front,  one  of  which  lay  on  the 
opposite  side  of  Hatcher's  Run ;  the  other  pro- 
tected by  deep  and  wide  trenches  which  sur- 
rounded it,  and  which  the  enemy  had  flooded  with 
water  to  further  impede  our  entrance. 

When  the  faint  dawning  of  day  gave  us  light  to 
see  our  way,  *'  Forward  March  "  was  given.  It 
was  a  general  move  all  along  the  line,  and  it  was 
grimly  understood  by  every  one  that  earnest 
business  and  no  faltering  was  now  to  be  the  pro- 
gramme. We  w^ere  not  to  be  denied  admittance 
to  their  inner  circle  much  longer,  and  so,  when 
we  came  to  the  water,  which  was  intended  to 
check  our  aggressive  advance,  we  tarried  not  on 
the  brink  of  that  Rubicon  to  think,  but  plunged 
right  in,  and  the  trees  and  debris  which  the  enemy 
had  cut  down  and  thrown  into  the  water,  and 
which  were  now  floating  there,  designed  as  an- 
other obstruction  to  our  advance,  proved  rather 
a  benefit  instead,  affording  us  as  they  did  a  chance 
to  get  from  one  fallen  tree  to  another,  and  by 
holdinof  to  the  limbs  a  number  of  the  foremost 
men  scrambled  across  without  getting  wet. 


STORMING    A    FORT.  387 

While  making-  this  difficult  crossing  our  com- 
rades on  dry  ground  in  our  rear  diverted  the  fire 
of  the  enemy  within  the  fort  from  us  considerably. 
The  first  over  did  not  even  wait  to  be  reinforced 
by  those  immediately  following  them,  but  went  at 
once  directly  to  the  fort.  This  little  band  was 
very  much  scattered  and  entirely  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  enemy,  who  had  us  under  such  close 
range  that  a  plucky  resistance  on  his  part  must 
have  inevitably  caused  great  havoc  amongst  us. 
As  it  was,  however,  they  became  panic-stricken, 
and  threw  away  every  impediment  to  their  very 
expeditious  flight. 

While  thus  eno-aored  I  had  not  much  chance  to 
take  notice  of  what  was  o^oinof  on  at  the  fort  next 
and  to  the  right  of  us ;  but  it  was  carried  at  the 
same  time  and  in  much  the  same  manner  as  was 
ours.  In  both  of  these  forts  there  were  large 
numbers  of  men  and  much  war  material  cap- 
tured. 

After  the  successful  taking  of  these  works  our 
scattered  command  formed  in  proper  shape  and 
in  line  of  battle,  and  soon  moved  forward  in  grand 
array,  facing  the  three  last  and  greatest  works  of 
the  enemy  at  Petersburg,  Virginia,  viz.,  Forts 
^^^§^^»  Whitworth,  and  May.  These  forts  were 
nearest  our  extreme  front,  in  the  order  named. 
From  our  point  of  approach  the  forts  formed  an 
imperfect  triangle ;  Forts  Gregg  and  Whitworth 
were,  if  on  a  direct  line,  about  two  hundred  yards 


388  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

apart,  but  the  latter  retired  about  fifty  yards  from 
the  former,  while  Fort  May,  the  last  and  greatest 
of  these  forts,  was  about  six  hundred  or  seven 
hundred  yards  to  the  rear,  and  in  about  the  centre 
of  the  other  two  forts. 

Before  making  the  assault  on  the  two  nearest 
forts  we  were  halted  for  the  purpose  of  making  a 
reconnoissance.  While  thus  halted  we  were 
within  easy  range  of  the  enemy's  sharpshooters, 
who  commenced  making  it  decidedly  unpleasant 
for  us.  Soon  we  noticed,  on  a  gently  elevated 
plateau  to  our  right,  a  splendid  troop  of  hand- 
somely equipped  and  richly  caparisoned  horsemen 
cantering  briskly  forward  in  a  diagonal  direction 
to  the  front.  It  was  a  thrilling,  and,  in  a  soldier's 
eye,  an  admirable  sight  to  see  such  "  shining 
lights  "  thus  expose  themselves  to  the  discretion- 
ary action  of  the  enemy,  who,  had  he  been  so  dis- 
posed, could  have  annihilated  the  larger  portion 
of  that  distinguished  party.  This  was  General 
Grant  and  his  staff  making  a  personal  observation 
of  the  field  before  us.  After  an  apparently  satis- 
factory inspection  the  general  and  his  party  rode 
leisurely  back  to  the  point  whence  they  came. 

This  calm  and  dignified  exhibition  of  intrepidity 
was  well  calculated  to  engender  a  great  respect 
and  pride  in  the  minds  of  the  men  for  such  brave 
leaders.  At  the  time  of  this  action  of  General 
Grant's  there  was  nothing  to  prevent  the  concen- 
tration of  the  enemy's  fire  from  the  three  forts 


GENERAL    GKANT   AT   THE    FRONT  389 

upon  him  and  his  conspicuous  party.  Why  the 
enemy  did  not  do  so  may  be  food  for  reflection. 
It  was,  indeed,  an  unexpected  and  deferential  act 
of  courtesy,  which  justly  earned  the  reciprocal 
kindness  extended  one  week  later  at  Appo- 
mattox. 

Soon  after  General  Grant  and  his  staff  fell  back 
the  3d  Division  of  the  24th  Corps,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Brevet  Major-General  John  W.  Turner, 
was  ordered  to  advance  on  the  two  forts  in  front 
of  us.  The  loth,  1 1  th,  and  1 5th  Regiments,  West 
Virginia  Infantry,  constituted  the  ist  Brigade  of 
this  division,  and  was  under  the  command  of 
Brevet  Major-General  Thomas  M.  Harris. 

In  advancing,  the  ist  and  3d  Brigades  had  a 
fort  each  to  encounter;  the  ist  on  the  left  and 
confronting  Fort  Whitworth,  the  3d  Brigade  on 
the  right  in  front  of  Fort  Gregg.  In  moving  on 
a  right  line  the  3d  Brigade  became  engaged  first, 
as  Fort  Gregg  was,  as  I  have  before  stated,  the 
most  advanced  in  position.  As  we  neared  these 
works  the  enemy's  fire  therefrom  became  very 
fierce  and  destructive,  and  the  two  brigades  halted 
at  nearly  the  same  time  and  lay  down. 

At  the  time  of  lying  down  I  found  myself,  with 
two  men  of  Company  K  of  our  regiment,  a  few 
yards  in  advance  of  the  remainder  of  the  troops 
of  our  brigade ;  these  two  boys  kept  steadily  on 
at  their  work  of  loading  and  firing  at  the  heads  of 
the  enemy  whenever  he  exposed  himself  to  fire  at 


390  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

US.  I  assisted  by  biting  cartridges  for  them  ready 
to  ram  home,  and,  while  thus  employed,  a  bullet 
passed  through  my  left  sleeve  at  my  wrist,  and 
came  out  at  the  elbow;  on  glancing  involuntarily 
behind  me  after  this  narrow  escape  I  saw  two  men 
lying  dead,  one  across  the  other,  the  uppermost 
having  just  received  a  bullet  in  the  centre  of  his 
forehead.  Whether  or  not  this  bullet  was  the  one 
that  first  passed  through  my  sleeve  I  can  only 
surmise. 

In  our  advanced  position  I  had  a  distinct  view 
of  what  was  transpiring  on  our  right  at  Fort 
Gregg,  and  never  have  I  witnessed  anything  to 
compare  with  that  bloody  struggle  for  its  posses- 
sion on  the  one  side  and  retention  on  the  other. 
While  gazing  at  this  desperate  hand-to-hand  en- 
counter going  on  upon  its  ramparts  I  lost  all 
thoughts  of  personal  danger  under  the  excitement 
of  the  moment,  and  lay  spell-bound,  waiting  the 
final  issue  of  the  struggle.  A  few  of  the  men  of 
the  3d  Brigade  nearest  Fort  Gregg  were  seen  to 
make  a  sudden  break  and  climb  the  breastworks 
of  the  rebel  stronghold,  only  to  be  immediately 
bayoneted  by  its  reckless  defenders.  Another  he- 
roic band,  bearing  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  instantly 
followed,  and  a  moment  later  proudly  planted  the 
beautiful  banner  high  on  the  rebel  ramparts.  I 
cheered  immediately,  and  the  shout  was  taken  up 
and  repeated  by  comrades  all  around  me;  but, 
alas !    our  joy  was   but   momentary ;    a   second 


> 


n 
•-( 

13- 

n 

o_ 

o" 

cr 
p 

3 


3 


rt 
G. 

P 

•3 

p 

C 

CI- 

cr 

P 

c 


cr 
p 

3 
3 
ft 
■-i 


O 

3 

<-»■ 

3- 

fD 

•-I 

n 
cr 

•-t 
p 
3 


P 


P 

cn 
n 

Co 

o 

o 


IIAND-TO-HAND    WORK.  391 

later  the  Union  flag,  together  with  its  noble  de- 
fenders, fell,  and  in  its  place  stood  the  Bars  and 

Stars. 

And  now,  unbidden,  another  handful  of  men 
scaled  the  fort,  and  once  more  the  rebel  insignia 
is  hauled  down  and  our  colors  again  float  triumph- 
andy  in  the  blood-charged  breeze.  And  so  the 
flags  alternated,  carrying  with  them  in  their  rise 
and  fall  the  hopes  and  fears  of  the  thousands  of 
overwroucrht  onlookers;  but  at  last  the-  officer  in 
charge  of  this  gallant  brigade  gave  the  word  to 
charge,  and  in  they  went,  with  an  irresistible  rush, 
maddened  at  the  slaughter  of  their  late  comrades, 
and  determined  to  avenge  their  deaths.  That 
onslaught  could  not  be  checked,  and  though  the 
reckless  rebels  fought  to  the  bitter  end  the  strug- 
gle was  soon  over. 

At  the  same  time  that  the  general  advance  was 
ordered  on  Fort  Gregg,  General  Harris  gave  the 
word  to  charge  on  Fort  Whitworth.  This  latter 
fort  was  the  larger  one  and  had  more  than  twice 
the  number  defending  it.  General  Harris  did 
not  say  "  Go,"  but  "  Come,  boys,"  and  was  the  first 
to  shoot  ahead  himself.  I  had  no  idea,  at  that 
time,  that  he  was  such  a  runner  as  he  proved  to 
be.  I  considered  myself,  in  those  days,  a  fair 
athlete,  but  in  the  race  to  this  fort  I  could  not  get 
one  foot  ahead  of  our  gallant  general.  We  both 
got  into  the  rebel  works  at  about  the  same  time, 
and  in  close  company  with  a  few  of  our  fleetest 


392  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

men.  I  went  in  bareheaded,  losing  my  hat  by  a 
missile  from  Fort  May  directed  at  us  to  cover  the 
retreat  of  about  half  of  the  rebel  defenders  of 
Fort  Whitworth.  We  found  upon  our  entrance 
the  remaining  half,  with  one  exception,  submissive 
captives  ;  this  latter  was  the  youngest  member 
of  the  crowd,  and  he  was  the  last  to  quit  shooting 
at  us.  Even  after  he  had  been  disarmed,  he  kept 
shaking  his  little  fist  defiantly  in  our  faces,  and 
offerinor  to  fio^ht  all  the  Yankees  in  the  field, 
sinele-handed  and  alone. 

In  passing  I  wish  to  state,  without  attempting 
to  make  invidious  comparisons,  that  In  every 
action  directed  by  General  Harris,  of  which  I 
have  any  knowledge,  I  became  more  and  more 
impressed  with  his  cool  and  accurate  judgment, 
his  pronounced  ability  and  undoubted  courage. 
Whenever  he  moved  he  did  so  at  the  opportune 
moment,  and  then  his  movements  were  rapid  and 
decisive,  doing  the  work  assigned  him  nobly  and 
with  a  savinor  of  life  at  once  commendable  and  In 
perfect  keeping  with  the  spirit  of  true  military 
ethics. 

All  of  the  rebel  works  but  one.  Fort  May,  were 
now  carried  ;  but  after  the  severe  fighting  of  the 
previous  two  days  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  ap- 
parently by  mutual  consent,  succeeded,  and  we 
had  time  to  look  about  us,  and  take  a  view  of  the 
havoc  done  in  the  recent  struggle.  I  can  compare 
the  appearance  of  Fort  Gregg  to  nothing  but  a 


FRIGHTFUL   CARNAGE.  393 

slaughter-pen.  The  blue  and  the  gray  were  there 
promiscuously  heaped  together.  Their  kindred 
blood  commingling  presented  a  sight  that  could 
not  fail  to  impress  one  indelibly  with  the  horrors 
of  a  civil  war. 

I  was  informed  that  the  defenders  of  Fort  Gregg 
were  sons  of  the  Green  Isle,  which  fact  I  can 
readily  believe  from  their  stubborn  resistance  to 
our  troops.  Among  those  found  therein  wearing 
the  blood-stained  blue  I  recognized  some  of  the 
23d  Illinois,  the  remnant  of  Mulligan's  Irish 
Brigade.  One  of  the  latter,  named  Dwyer,  with 
whom  I  had  been  talking  only  a  short  time  before 
he  went  in,  was  found  among  the  slain.  I  ques- 
tion if  half  a  dozen  of  the  defenders  of  the  fort 
survived  its  capture. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  General  Grant  again 
made  his  appearance  at  the  front. 

Now  he  had  Lee,  with  all  of  his  command,  en- 
compassed within  that  little  spot  at  Petersburg 
comprising  Fort  May.  I  thought  this  must  be 
the  "  last  ditch,"  as  with  our  superior  force  we 
could  easily  keep  him  there,  until  our  large  avail- 
able supply  of  artillery  was  trained  upon  him, 
when,  in  my  opinion,  he  could  be  brought  to  un- 
conditional terms. 

Apart  from  my  own  circumscribed  vision  and 
meagre  sources  of  information  I  do  not  know 
what  disposition  was  made  of  our  forces  on  the 
night  of  the  2d  of  April.     I  was  awake  and  on 


394  "^^^    FLYING,    GRAY- HATRED    YANK. 

duty  all  of  the  night,  and,  as  far  as  I  could  learn, 
was  nearest  to  the  enemy's  works ;  sufficiently 
near,  at  all  events,  to  plainly  hear  the  moving  of 
,  wagons  and  see  the  flickering  of  innumerable 
lights  flitting  back  and  forth  through  the  rebel 
camp,  presenting  unmistakable  signs  of  an  evacu- 
ation. I  lost  no  time  in  reporting  my  observations 
and  conclusions  to  my  immediate  commander. 

All  night  long  these  evidences  of  flight  con- 
tinued, and  when  daylight  came  it  revealed  the 
mortifying  fact  that  General  Lee  and  his  entire 
command  had  quietly  decamped. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

Pursuit  of  Lee — General  Ord's  Kindness — An  Ideal  Soldier — 
His  Bloody  Boots — Appomattox — General  Sheridan — Capture 
OF  the  Last  Battery — My  Trophy  of  the  Last  Ditch — Sur- 
render OF  Lee — Return  to  Richmond — Mustered  Out. 

After  breakfast  and  other  preliminaries,  we 
started  after  the  Hght-footed  enemy. 

During  our  week's  pursuit  of  Lee  nothing 
worthy  of  special  mention  transpired  until  we 
arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  Rice's  Station, 
Prince  Edward  county,  Virginia,  where  we  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  into  such  close  quarters  with 
the  enemy  that  he  offered  a  vigorous  objection  by 
opening  a  brisk  fire  upon  our  advance.  The 
rebel  fire  was  so  obstinate  that  our  heavy  line 
of  skirmishers  was  held  in  check,  and  the  re- 
peated and  loud  commands  of  General  Harris  to 
the  skirmishers  to  advance  were  unavailine.  The 
general,  losing  patience,  came  to  me  and  asked 
how  many  men  I  had.  When  I  had  told  him,  he 
ordered  me  to  advance  with  them  and  take  charge 
of  the  skirmish  line  in  our  front. 

I  prepared  to  obey,  and  just  at  the  time  that 
my  men  were  in  proper  alignment  and  ready  to 
move  forward,  an  officer,  splendidly  mounted  and 
accompanied  by  a  staff  of  fine  military  appear- 

(395) 


3q6        the  flying,  gray-haired  yank. 

ance,  rode  up  to  where  we  were.  Although  the 
gentleman  had  not  seen  me  during  the  previous 
eight  or  nine  months,  I  was  flattered  to  find  that 
he  recognized  me,  as  he  held  out  his  hand  and 
grasped  mine.  This  was  the  gallant  General 
George  Crook,  whom  I  had  long  revered. 

The  esteem  of  such  men  as  Generals  Crook 
and  Harris  should,  to  a  certain  extent,  make  even 
cowardly  men  brave,  and  we  now  felt  very  proud 
as  we  moved  off  in  nice  order  and  took  charge 
of  the  skirmish  line  which  afterwards  did  its  work 
handsomely,  pressing  the  enemy  back  until  the 
shadows  of  night  secured  to  both  sides  a  tempo- 
rary respite.  Even  after  nightfall  we  advanced 
some  little  distance  farther  and  straightened  and 
strengthened  our  lines.  At  early  dawn  next  morn- 
ing we  advanced  on  quick  time  after  the  elusive 
enemy.  But  he  did  not  wait  for  us  but  left  his 
temporary  entrenchments  in  a  great  hurry,  leav- 
ing some  things  of  value  to  him  behind,  including 
medical  stores. 

In  the  pursuit  of  Lee  from  Petersburg  to  Ap- 
pomattox, embracing  a  period  of  a  week,  there 
were  only  a  couple  of  encounters  with  him,  one 
at  Sailor's  Creek,  on  the  6th,  with  the  cavalry,  and 
the  one  mentioned  at  Rice's  Station  with  Infantry; 
and  It  maybe  Inferred  from  the  few  engagements 
had  with  him,  and  the  distance  covered,  that,  there 
was  fast  time  made  on  that  march.  The  last  day's 
tramp  will  be  admitted  to  be  a  fair  test  of  the 


> 

o 

> 

H 
H 
O 
X 

o 
o 
c: 

H 
I 

C 

c: 

W 


THE    LAST   day's    PURSUIT.  397 

Sterling  qualities  of  our  men.  Their  endurance 
and  determination  will  be  understood  in  the 
record  they  made  of  thirty-five  and  a  half  miles 
without  halting,  except  for  a  short  time  to  eat. 

On  this  trying  occasion  it  was  admirable,  con- 
sidering the  heavy  weights  they  had  to  carry,  the 
hard  fighting,  litde  sleeping  and  forced  marching 
of  many  days  previous  that  they  had  undergone, 
to  see  how  few  of  the  brave  boys  faltered  or  fell 
back.  One  of  the  most  potent  reasons  for  the 
almost  superhuman  efforts  of  the  men  was  found 
in  the  uniform  kindness  and  encouragement  to 
the  rank  and  file  by  General  Ord,  who  often 
during  the  day  expressed  his  sympathy  for  them, 
and  said : 

*'  I  promise  you,  boys,  that  this  will  be  the  last 
day's  march  you  will  have  to  endure." 

They  believed  him  and  responded  with  re- 
newed exertions.  If  it  had  not  been  for  this 
encouragement  on  his  part,  there  would  have  been 
far  less  of  our  number  in  Lee's  front  on  the  next 
morning,  April  the  ninth. 

An  incident  of  this  last  hard  day's  march  will  be 
my  excuse  for  again  introducing  to  the  reader  my 
orderly  sergeant,  Lawrence  May. 

While  trudging  wearily  along,  two  of  my  men 
came  to  me  and  told  me  that  Orderly  May's  feet 
were  badly  cut  up  and  bleeding  from  the  effects 
of  marching  In  a  pair  of  new  boots.  I  dropped 
back  to  where  the  poor  fellow  was,  and  at  once 


398  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-rlAIRED    VANK. 

noticed  the  evident  signs  of  his  sufferings  in  his 
noble  but  painful  efforts  to  keep  up. 

"Orderly,"  said  I,  "I  see  your  feet  hurt  you 
badly." 

"  Just  a  little,  Captain  ;  I  can  get  along  all 
right,"  was  the  uncomplaining  reply. 

"  I  wish  you,"  I  replied,  "  to  get  Into  one  of  the 
ambulances  ;  that  Is  what  they  are  for,  and  you 
are  plainly  not  in  a  fit  condition  to  walk." 

"  I  never  rode  in  one,  sir,"  said  he,  proudly, 
"and  I  hope  I  sha'n't  have  to  now." 

Knowing  the  soldierly  pride  of  which  May  was 
possessed  in  so  marked  a  degree  was  what  held 
him  back  from  complying  with  my  request,  I  did  not 
urge  him  further;  but,  unknown  to  him,  I  watched 
him  closely,  and  as  the  torture  from  his  boots  in- 
creased, he  could  not  conceal  his  terrible  suffer- 
ings from  anybody.  My  heart  ached  for  him  and 
I  became  determined  to  relieve  him  in  some  way. 
Realizing  and  appreciating  the  heroic  and  uncom- 
plaining spirit  of  the  man,  and  wishing  to  spare 
his  feelings  as  much  as  possible,  I  went  to  our 
regimental  surgeon,  Dr.  Walter  S.  Welsh,  and 
explained  matters  to  him,  and  requested  that  he 
issue  direct  and  imperative  orders  to  May  to  go 
into  an  ambulance. 

The  orderly  was  at  all  times  subordinate,  but 
in  complying  with  this  order,  he  did  so  as  reluct- 
antly and  with  as  shamed  a  face  as  though  he  was 
on  his  way  to  the  gallows. 


APPOMATTOX.  399 

We  had  scarcely  gotten  him  well  disposed  of 
within  the  wagon  when  he  was  again  In  the 
ranks,  persisting  vehemently  that  he  was  all  right 
and  well  able  to  walk.  The  humiliation  attach- 
ing to  his  position  in  an  ambulance  appeared  to 
him  to  be  a  greater  torture  than  were  the  pinch- 
ings  of  his  boots,  and  so  he  refused  to  remain 
longer  In  the  waoron.  When  his  boots  were  re- 
moved  the  next  day,  after  the  white  flag  came 
out,  they  were  found  to  be  thoroughly  soaked 
with  blood. 

During  his  term  of  service,  of  nearly  three 
years,  May  was  never  sick ;  never  absent,  but 
always  at  his  post;  he-was  unoffending,  modest, 
virtuous,  and  gentle ;  and  as  true  In  the  perform- 
ance of  his  duty  as  Is  the  sun  in  his  course.  This 
man  has  never  received  a  pension  and  would  not, 
I  believe,  under  any  circumstances,  ask  for  it; 
and  so  it  Is  that  many  a  faithful  servant  of  the 
government  is  neglected,  because  through  dif- 
fidence and  modesty  he  neglects  himself. 

We  are  at  last  confronting  Lee  at  Appomattox 
Court-House. 

The  action  here  of  the  corps  to  which  we  were 
attached  has  been  briefly  given  In  the  State  Adju- 
tant-General's report  for  1865,  and  is,  in  the  main, 
correct.  The  only  fault  I  am  inclined  to  find 
with  this  report  Is  that  It  does  not,  as  In  fact  such 
a  general   summary  of  the  event  could  not  well 

be  expected  to  do,  go  quite  far  enough ;  and  It  Is 
25 


400  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

these  unintentional  omissions  that  the  writer  seeks 
to  supply. 

The  report  referred  to  is  as  follows : 

"  In  the  pursuit  of  Lee's  army,  which  followed, 
the  24th  Army  Corps  bore  a  conspicuous  part, 
and  the  West  Virginia  troops,  by  their  gallantry 
and  endurance,  elicited  warm  expressions  of 
admiration  from  the  commander  of  the  corps, 
General  Gibbon,  as  also  from  Major-General 
Ord,  commanding  the  Army  of  the  James. 

"It  was  the  ist  and  3d  Divisions  of  the  24th 
Corps  that  formed  a  line  across  Lee's  front  on 
the  morning  of  the  9th  of  April  at  Appomattox 
Court-House,  and  brought  from  that  commander 
the  flag  of  truce  which  resulted  in  the  capitula- 
tion and  disbanding  of  the  rebel  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia,  having  marched  on  the  8th  and 
morning  of  the  9th  thirty-five  miles  to  gain  that 
position.  This  line  was  formed  across  the  road 
to  Lynchburg,  on  which  Lee  was  retreating,  and 
but  for  which  he  might  have  continued  his 
march. 

"  The  troops  from  West  Virginia  also  claim 
with  pride  the  honor  of  silencing  the  last  battery 
that  General  Lee  ever  had  put  in  position ;  this 
was  effected  by  a  skirmish  line  sent  forward  by 
General  Harris,  under  Captain  James  A.  Jarboe, 
of  the  loth  Regiment,  armed  with  Spencer  seven- 
shooting  rifles,  closely  sustained  by  the  brigade. 
Of  this  battery  two  or  three  guns  were  captured." 


V) 

n 

o 

o 


n 


D 

C/l 


o 


n 


p 

irq 
n 

O 


SHERIDAN    AT    THE    FRONT.  403 

Who  captured  them  ? 

Very  early  on  the  morning  of  the  9th  we  were 
taking  a  hurried  breakfast  while  encamped  in  a 
plowed  field,  at  one  end  of  which  ran  a  narrow 
lane.  I  was  very  near  this  road,  and  while  busy 
trying  to  heat  my  coffee  I  noticed  a  lone  horse- 
man riding  out  from  the  direction  of  a  stone 
house  in  our  rear  to  where  we  were.  The  horse- 
man was  an  officer  in  fine  uniform  and  astride  of 
a  splendid  horse : 

"  There  goes  Sheridan,"  shouted  the  men. 

Anxious  to  get  a  closer  look  at  this  American 
counterpart  of  Marshal  Ney  I  left  my  coffee,  and 
ran  up  to  the  lane  whereon  "little  Phil"  was 
riding  leisurely  along  and  alone.  He  was  going 
in  front  of  Lee*s  army,  which  was  heading  for 
Lynchburg.  I  never  saw  a  fairer  picture  of  health 
and  composure.  His  features  were  faultless  in 
my  partial  opinion,  but  it  may  have  been  that  the 
final  result,  then  so  near  its  accomplishment,  lent 
an  added  charm  to  his  expression.  How  sad  to 
learn  that  at  this  writing  (July,  1888)  such  a 
shining  light  is  so  nearly  extinguished!  From 
all  accounts  this  bright  life  is  fast  waning  and  de- 
scending towards  the  horizon  below  which  so 
many  of  his  compatriot  luminaries  have  lately 
disappeared. 

In  less  than  ten  minutes  after  Sheridan  had 
ridden  past  we  received  orders  to  march  quickly 
in  the  same  direction.     We  did  so  at  once. 


404  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

On  coming  In  Lee's  front,  and  after  emerging 
from  a  skirt  of  woods,  we  came  into  an  open 
field  of  triangular  shape,  containing  perhaps  ten 
or  twelve  acres.  Here  was  General  Sheridan  at 
the  head  of  a  small  force  of  his  cavalry,  in  the 
front  and  on  the  flank  of  which  were  woods,  and 
in  that  position  the  enemy's  infantry  had  every 
advantage  of  our  cavalry.  But  General  Harris 
was  at  hand  with  his  infantry  and  we  soon  saw 
our  immediate  commander  in  close  conversation 
with  the  lltde  "  Field-Marshal ;  "  the  result  of 
their  conference  was  that  General  Harris  at  once 
detailed  a  strong  line  of  skirmishers  to  operate 
against  the  enemy  in  these  woods.  He  called 
two  officers  to  take  charge  of  this  line ;  their  in- 
structions were  separate  and  distinct.  One  of 
them.  Captain  James  A.  Jarboe,  of  the  loth  West 
Virginia  regiment,  as  brave  and  as  good  a  man  as 
was  on  the  field,  was  assigned  to  the  left  of  the 
line ;  and  the  writer  received  instructions  from 
the  o-eneral  to  take  charo^e  of  the  skirmishers  on 
the  right  of  the  line.  I  did  not  at  any  time  while 
confronting  the  enemy  receive  orders  from  Cap- 
tain Jarboe,  but  always  immediately  and  directly 
from  General  Harris,  who  was  very  close  to  me 
most  of  the  time,  and  cognizant  of  every  move  as 
soon  as  made. 

Reaching  the  woods  mentioned,  we  engaged 
the  enemy's  skirmishers  and  drove  them  steadily 
back.     Their  officers  In  trying  to  rally  them  as- 


"KNArSACK    CAVALRY."  405 

sured   the   dejected   and  despairing  "Johnnies" 
that  there  was  nothing  in  their  front  but  cavalry. 

"By  G ,"  was  the  desperate  reply,  "you'll 

find  that  they  are  knapsack  cavalry." 

Incidentally  the  appellation  embodied  in  the 
above  remark  does  not  appear  inappropriate  in 
view  of  the  marching  qualities  then  exhibited  by 
our  men. 

The  enemy  finding  their  skirmishers  thus 
driven  back,  hurried  forward  two  brass  field- 
pieces,  which  they  were  placing  in  position  about 
two  hundred  yards  in  our  front  at  the  time  we 
emerged  from  the  woods.  General  Harris,  who  was 
near  me,  ordered  an  advance,  when  we  went  in  on 
double-quick  for  the  battery,  which  started  at  the 
same  moment  in  more  than  double-quick  time  for 
the  rear.  While  this  chase  was  in  progress  Gen- 
eral Harris,  with  a  heavy  line  of  battle,  was  moving 
up  briskly  some  distance  in  the  rear  of  his  pur- 
suing skirmishers.  The  rebel  battery  in  our  front 
continued  retreating  to  the  enemy's  main  body  as 
fast  as  the  old  horses  attached  to  the  pieces  could 
move ;  but  meeting  a  strong  fence  in  their  front 
they  were  forced  to  halt  for  a  few  mornents,  en- 
abling us  to  overtake  them.  They  therefore 
abandoned  their  guns  and  two  of  their  horses ;  I 
tarried  long  enough  in  the  pursuit  of  the  rebel 
skirmishers  to  cast  a  wistful  glance  at  a  little 
artillery  saddle  which  formied  a  part  of  the  trap- 
pings of  one  of  the  abandoned  horses ;  and  then 


406  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

over  the  fence  we  went,  after  the  fast  retreating 
enemy.  Five  minutes  had  probably  elapsed  after 
the  capture  of  the  artillery  pieces  when  the  "white 
flag  "  came  out  directly  in  our  front. 

The  scene  that  followed  its  appearance  has 
often  been  so  graphically  described  that  I  have 
not  the  hardihood  to  attempt  it  here. 

After  the  cheering  and  excitement  had  in  a 
measure  subsided  I  bethought  me  of  the  little 
saddle.  Returning  to  where  the  horses  were,  I 
removed  it  and  later  placed  it  in  a  trunk  and  sent 
it  home.  I  have  never  parted  with  it,  and  regard 
it,  justly  I  think,  as  the  real  trophy  of  the  "  last 
ditch."  It  was  exhibited  by  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  together  with  other  curiosities  and 
mementos  of  the  late  war,  at  the  Pittsburg  Ex- 
position, in  1879. 

General  Grant  being  about  seven  miles  in  the 
rear  when  the  ''white  flag"  appeared,  we  had  a 
long  and  Impatient  wait  before  the  brave  remnant 
of  Lee's  army  marched  passed  us  after  being  pa- 
roled for  all  time.  During  the  interval  of  waiting 
I  made  use  of  the  opportunity  to  convey  to  the 
members  of  my  little  command  an  idea  of  the 
feelings  that  such  an  event  as  the  present  one  en- 
gendered In  me.  I  told  them  that  I  was  hungry 
(as  indeed  they  all  must  be)  and  had  but  few 
crackers  remaining,  but  those  few  I  proposed  to 
divide  with  our  late  enemy,  but  who  now  and 
henceforth  were  our  friends,  with  but  one  country 


"  GOOD-BYE,    BOYS  1 "  407 

and  one  flag.  This  family  feud  was  over  and 
I  sincerely  hoped  forever.  The  sooner  its  griev- 
ous wounds  were  healed  by  manly  forgiveness 
and  kind  words  the  better  for  all  concerned. 
There  are  few  survivors  of  the  late  struggle  who 
have  suffered  more,  personally,  from  the  treat- 
ment of  the  enemy  than  I ;  but  on  this  day  I  would 
cheerfully  give  the  brave  though  mistaken  fellows 
the  hand  of  eternal  friendship ;  and  more  to  the 
same  effect. 

How  pleased  I  was  to  discover  later  that  in 
exhibiting  this  conciliatory  spirit  to  a  fallen  foe  I 
was  only  anticipating  the  wishes  of  General 
Grant,  as  was  shown  in  his  liberal  treatment  of 
General  Lee,  giving  him  horses,  mules,  and  side- 
arms  and  twenty  thousand  rations  besides. 

Compare  this  magnanimous  action  of  a  victori- 
ous leader  with  the  brutal  exactions  demanded 
under  kingly  rule,  and  gracefully  say,  with  me : 
Long  live  and  God  bless  our  glorious  Republic. 

As  the  disbanded  army,  now  without  a  head, 
was  passing  before  us,  heading  for  Lynchburg, 
at  a  go-as-you-please  gait,  our  brave  boys  carried 
out  the  suggestions  made  to  them  by  their  of- 
ficers, by  sharing  with  the  defeated  "  Johnnies  " 
the  contents  of  their  haversacks,  and  by  using 
such  pleasing  and  friendly  expressions  as :  "  We're 
all  going  home  now  to  the  girls  we  left  behind 
us  ;  "  "  Good-bye,  boys,''  etc.,  etc. 

General   Harris,  with  his  command,  marched 


408  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

from  Appomattox  to  Lynchburg,  where  the  bulk  of 
Lee's  disbanded  army  concentrated  before  start- 
ing for  their  respective  homes.  From  Lynch- 
burg, where  we  distributed  rations  among  the 
needy  soldiers,  we  proceeded  to  Richmond.  We 
w^ere  among  the  first  troops  to  occupy  the  South- 
ern capital  after  its  evacuation,  and  we  were  sur- 
prised to  find,  upon  our  entrance,  such  a  large 
portion  of  that  beautiful  city  in  ruins  and  ashes. 
The  devilish  incendiaries  were,  not  the  invading 
Unionists,  but  those  whose  duty  it  should  have 
been  to  build  up  and  protect  it.  Were  it  not  for 
the  determined  and  successful  efforts  of  our  men 
the  confiagradon  would  have  been  general  and 
entirely  destructive  to  the  city. 

We  retain  some  pleasant  recollections  of  Rich- 
mond during  our  stay  there.  There  seemed  to 
be  no  stint  of  money  among  our  boys,  so  every 
day  while  we  remained  gayety  and  good-fellow- 
ship seemed  to  be  effectually  dispelling  the  previ- 
ous gloom  ;  acquaintanceship  and  genial  inter-_ 
course  were  fast  obliterating  the  embittered  feel- 
ings engendered  by  the  war.  Soon  the  places 
of  amusement  began  to  reopen  their  doors,  and 
resume  their  wonted  attractions  ;  business  houses 
displayed  their  wares  and  commenced  a  lively 
competition  for  the  patronage  of  the  Yankees ; 
and  things  generally  again  took  on  their  old  time 
look. 

I   do    not    recall    an   Instance  durlno-  the  two 


ON    DUTY    IN    RICHMOND.  409 

months  we  were  In  Richmond  of  the  slightest 
insult  being  offered  to  any  of  its  Inhabitants  by  our 
men,  which  remarkable  fact  was  unprecedented 
in  history  and  a  noble  line  of  conduct  in  vic- 
tors, and  quite  contrary  to  the  many  warnings  of 
the  leaders  of  the  late  rebellion,  in  their  highly 
colored  harangues  to  their  credulous  people  on 
the  subject  of  an  invasion  of  the  South  by  Union 
troops,  which  dire  calamity  was  sure  to  be 
f®llowed  by  a  policy  of  extermination,  confiscation 
and  assaults  upon  the  honor  of  their  wives  and 
daughters,  etc.,  by  the  '*  Northern  Vandals." 

While  encamped  near  Richmond  we  were 
visited  by  two  gentlemen  who  had  occupied  posi- 
tions of  distinction  in  the  executive  branch  of  the 
Confederacy,  and  who  were,  prior  to  the  outbreak 
of  the  war,  well  acquainted  with  a  number  of  our 
men  ;  one  was  Judge  Draper  Camden,  of  Clarks- 
burg, West  Va. ;  the  other,  Mr.  Jonathan  Ben- 
nett, of  Weston,  West  Va.,  who  had  been  the 
late  Auditor-General  of  the  Confederacy.  Both 
gentlemen  felt,  under  the  changed  condition, 
somewhat  timid,  especially  Mr.  Bennett,  who,  by 
reason  of  his  course  during  the  war,  was  not 
popular  in  the  section  of  country  whence  he  came, 
and  from  where  several  of  our  companies,  now 
doing  duty  here,  were  raised. 

I  extended  every  possible  courtesy  to  the  gen- 
tlemen during  their  visit  to  our  camp,  and  as  we 
walked  through  the  grounds  together  my   pres- 


41 0  THE    FLYING,    GRAY-HAIRED    YANK. 

ence,  I  am  pleased  to  state,  was  sufficient  to  in- 
sure them  from  all  indignities,  or  any  unpleasant 
remarks. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  1865,  our  regiment  was 
mustered  out  at  Richmond,  and  our  fares  paid  to 
Wheeling,  where  on  our  arrival  we  were  paid 
off  and  finally  discharged. 


ROSTER 

OF 

COMPANY  B,  15TH  REGT.  W.  VA.  INFANTRY  VOL. 


Names. 

Rank. 

i" 

When 

mustered 

Remarks . 

36 

into 

service. 

Egan,  Michael 

Capt. 

Sept. 

I,  1862. 

Taken  prisoner  of 

war.  May  9, '64,  es- 

caped Nov.  4,  '64. 

Nicholas,  William  J. 

I  St  Lieut. 

27 

(( 

« 

Promoted  to  Capt. 
Co.  D,  Oct.  27, '63. 

Detamore,  John  W. 

2d  Lieut. 

36 

(( 

(( 

Promoted  to  1st 
Lieut. 

Power,  Patrick 

1st  Sgt. 

26 

(( 

« 

Promoted  to  2d  and 
to  1st  Lieut. 

May,  Lawrence 

1st  Sgt. 

38 

(( 

<( 

Belt,  Hedgman 

2d  Sgt. 

28 

« 

« 

Davis,  James  L. 

3d  Sgt. 

30 

<( 

« 

Would  not  fight. 

Ward,  John  D. 

4th  Sgt. 

21 

« 

« 

^ 

Fisher,  George  A. 

5th  Sgt. 

Wood,  A.  J. 

Corporal 

zz 

« 

« 

Promoted  to  Sergt. 

Hitt,  Jos.  W. 

<( 

30 

<« 

« 

Killed  in  action, 
June  18,  '64,  near 
Lynchburg,  Va. 

Bush,  John  J. 

« 

35 

« 

« 

Ellis,«  James  Ji". 

«( 

23 

« 

« 

Died    of  starvation 

*..      ' 

in  rebel  prison. 

Monypenny,  T.  W. 

u 

21 

« 

« 

Rohobough,  A.  E. 

(( 

24 

<( 

<( 

Montgomery,  Henry 

(( 

34 

(( 

« 

Brown,  Thomas 

(( 

31 

March 

31,  1864. 

Tanner,  John 

Wagon'r 

59 

Sept. 

I,  1862. 

Adams,  Isaac 

Private 

48 

(< 

<( 

Working  on  fortifi- 
cations at  Wash- 
ington, D.C.,  since 
Nov.  19,  '64. 

Arbogast,  Daniel 

« 

27 

(( 

« 

Baily,  Albert 

(( 

20 

« 

(( 

/■ 

Butcher,  M.  E. 

« 

23 

K 

« 

Bond,  Levi  W. 

(( 

19 

(( 

<t 

Died  in  prison. 

Burkhammer,  Joseph 

« 

18 

« 

« 

Burns,  Patrick 

Corporal 

21 

« 

(< 

Diedsince  mustered 
out. 

Brown,  Jesse 

Private 

34 

« 

(( 

Baily,  Philander 

«( 

18 

(( 

u 

Died  at  New  Creek 
Nov.  I,  '62,  of 
measels. 

(411) 

412 


ROSTER. 


Names. 


Bush,  Henry  H. 


Bowan,  John  E. 
Crawford,  Joseph 


Carney,  Michael 

Cutwright,  Isaac 
Conrad,  Geo.  W. 
Clark,  John 
Croul,  John  W. 
Davis,  Lorenzo  L. 
Dai'is,  Wm.  H. 

Doory,  John 
Dinsmore,  John  A. 


Dodson,  Chas.  E. 
Daily,  Charles 
Finster,  Simon 
Fisher,  Jacob  C. 
Garton,  James 
Horan,  Peter 
Huran,  Kieran 


Hanson,  Chas.  W. 
Hacker,  William  G. 

Hall,  Joseph 

Hines,  Thomas 


Jones,  Benjamin  S. 
Jenkins,  Joseph 


Jewell,  Albert 

Knapp,  Wm.  T. 
Laurrell,  John 

Lamb,  Skidmore 
Literal,  James 


Rank. 

21 

Private 

(( 

i8 

(( 

i8 

(( 

26 

« 
<< 
« 

25 
29 

25 
25 
19 
35 

Regt. 

32 
26 

Armorer 

Private 

18 

19 
39 

37 
22 

(( 

20 

<< 

^l 

« 

20 

(( 

22 

« 

43 

(( 

18 

<< 

18 

(( 

46 

Corporal 

31 

27 

Private 

22 
18 

U^Tien   ]\Iitstered 
into  Service. 


Sept.  I,  1862. 


March  31, 1864. 


Sept.  I,  1862. 


March  31,  1864, 
Sept.  I,  1862. 

Oct.  16,      " 
Sept.  I,     " 


Remarks. 


A  fine  young  man, 
starved  to  death  at 
AndersonviUe 
prison. 

Taken  prisoner  of 
war  at  Cedar  Creek 
Oct.  19,  '64. 

Diedsince  mustered 
out. 


March  31, 1864 
Sept.  I,  1862. 


Sept.  I,  1864. 


u 


(( 


June  20,  63. 


Sept.  I,  1862. 


« 


« 


« 


In  hospital  at  Sandy 
Hook,  Aug.  I,  '64. 

2d  Sergt.,  but  vol- 
unteered as  Regt. 
armorer. 


Killed  in  action  at 
Cedar  Creek,  Oct. 
19.  '64. 

Wounded  at  Hatch- 
erRun,  April  2,  '65. 
Wounded  at  Cedar 

Creek,  Oct.  19, '64. 
Killed      in     action 

near  Staunton ,  Va., 

June  10,  '64. 

A  wild  youth,  who 
would  go  where  he 
pleased. 

Discharged  at  New 
Creek,  Dec.  9,  '62. 

Prisoner  of  war  at 
Salisbury,  N.  C. 


ROSTER. 


413 


Names. 

Rank. 

1 

18 

W'7itf'«   Mustered 
into  Service. 

Remarks. 

Monypenny,  James 

Private 

Sept. 

I,  1862. 

Monypenny,  William 

(( 

37 

(( 

(( 

• 

Monypenny,  Albert 

« 

29 

(( 

(( 

Monypenny,  Napoleon 

(( 

22 

(< 

(« 

Died     of     typhoid 

B. 

fever  at  Wheeling, 
Oct.  14,  '62. 

Means,  Calvin 

(( 

30 

<( 

(( 

McCudden,  James 

(< 

23 

<( 

« 

Wounded  at  Hatch- 
er Run,  April  2,'65. 

McManus,  Patrick 

(( 

21 

« 

«< 

Monypenny,  Henry 

(( 

28 

« 

(( 

Prisoner  of  war  at 
Salisbury,  N.  C. 

Means,  Isaac 

(( 

38 

(( 

(( 

Died  of  wounds  re- 
ceived at  Cedar 
Creek,  Oct.  19, '64. 

Newcomb,  John 

Wagon 'r 

43 

<( 

(( 

Nicholar,  Carr 

Private 

19 

(( 

<< 

Nicholas,  M.  C. 

<( 

28 

(( 

{< 

Osborne,  Harrison 

« 

25 

« 

« 

Patten,  Hinton 

« 

21 

<< 

(( 

Plunket,  James 

<< 

18 

<( 

(( 

Severely    wounded 

at  Cedar  Creek, 
Oct.  19,  '64. 

Pletcher,  Jonathan 

« 

27 

(( 

(( 

Fletcher,  Wm.  H. 

« 

24 

« 

(( 

Captur'd  at  Charles- 
ton, W.  Va.,  Aug. 
10,  '64. 

Rohobaugh,  John  G. 

(( 

19 

«\ 

€t 

Wounded  at  W^in- 
chester,  Va.,  Sept. 
19,  '64. 

Sheerer,  Andrew 

(( 

27 

(( 

*t 

Died  of  wounds  re- 
ceived near  Staun- 
ton, Va. 

Swicker,  Manly 

<( 

19 

« 

it 

Sheerer,  Henry 

(( 

25 

(( 

it 

Died  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action 
near  Staunton,  Va. 

Steinback,  Geo.  W. 

(( 

19 

It 

tt 

Shoulder,  Jacob  L. 

(( 

24 

« 

it 

Died  of  typhoid 
fever  at  Jarvis 
Hospital,  Balti- 
more, Md.,  Sept. 
13,  '64. 

Sleeth,  Adam  C. 

« 

25 

« 

tt 

Spouse,  Wm. 

(( 

25 

it 

tt 

Sheifer,  Jno.  T. 

(( 

32 

(( 

tt 

Died  in  rebel 
prison,  Salisbury, 
N.  C. 

Simmons,  W. 

(( 

25 

« 

tt 

414 


ROSTER. 


Names. 

Rank. 

1 

28 

When  Mustered 
into  Service. 

Remarks. 

Sneed,  Achilles  H. 

Private 

Sept.  I, 

1862. 

Captured  at  Cedar 

Creek,  Oct.  19, '64. 

Turner,  Johnson  V. 

« 

33 

(( 

*t 

West,  Charles 

(( 

26 

(( 

« 

West,  Alexander 

« 

28 

<t 

(( 

West,  George 

(( 

38 

<( 

(( 

Died  of  wounds  re- 
ceived at  Winches- 
ter, Sept.  19,  '64. 

Waldeck,  F.  M. 

« 

21 

(( 

u 

Ward,  Henry  M. 

(( 

19 

« 

« 

Woofler,  Albert 

(( 

x8 

« 

« 

Died  of  starvation 
while  prisoner  of 
war  at  Salisbury, 
N.  C. 

Wilkinson,  Joshua  S. 

(( 

21 

June  20, 

1863. 

Captured  at  Cedar 
Creek,  Oct.  19, '64. 

W^^j 


% 


1^ 


'n 


V 


U 


RARE  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 

Wilmer 
400 


^. 


'^^ 


.V' 


ll 


>  ^'4 


m 


hi 


% 


%'' 


mi 


^W 


w 


•» 


\?!\\ 


M^-  ^if'^'^y^^^ 


m. 


II^iTj 


w 


.^i 


**^ 


v;^i 


'.^ 


wmM-^ss 


.•f^^ 


'^1^^»i 


>f^: 


^ 


.ivr'^V  "-j^ 


